Chapter 13#
If You See SnowCh13 - Already Consummated as Husband and Wife#
Countless black muzzles of flintlock muskets aimed at Su Ruhui from all four cardinal directions. His steps froze, and he stood rooted to the spot.
【Friendly Reminder: The host is currently surrounded by thirty flintlock muskets. Would the host like the system to provide a solution?】
Su Ruhui anxiously thought: Yes!
【According to my calculations, the survival rate for the host engaging in fierce resistance is 3.654%. The survival rate for kneeling and begging for mercy is 80.357%. The survival rate for selling sex appeal is 100%.】
Su Ruhui: “…”
Of course this dog system wouldn’t give any good advice. Su Ruhui resignedly turned his face and bowed. “House Head, what a coincidence! Have you had breakfast yet? Getting up so early for work! Your tireless dedication, rising before dawn and retiring after dusk, is truly a blessing for our Paradise Pavilion.”
He forced a smile while cursing inwardly. He’d covered his face completely. How the hell did this bastard know he was here? A-Qi must have some kind of tracking device on him.
“Yeah, not many people can bother me to mobilize a whole operation this early in the morning to catch someone.” Han Ye lifted a chin towards his luggage. “What’s inside?”
Su Ruhui smiled awkwardly, “Just a trifling little thing, nothing worthy of House Head’s attention.”
“Open it.” Han Ye spread his palm, and black flames burst out with a hiss, “Or you can let it be your burial offering.”
Su Ruhui had no choice but to obediently turn the eight trigrams lock on the chest. Inside, a series of gears clicked into place, and finally, the lock released with a click. Su Ruhui opened the chest and turned it toward Han Ye. Inside lay neatly stacked gold bricks. The Paradise Pavilion’s thugs all looked at it with a greedy stare.
Su Ruhui said: “It’s this little one’s savings accumulated from half of my life.”
Han Ye “hmmed” with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile, “You’re quite the hoarder, aren’t you? Saved up all this stuff. Taking out your entire savings, planning to leave? Or are you trying to hide from me?”
This guy was like sticky candy, impossible to shake off. Even if he used the formless gate to escape, he still had Paradise Pavilion’s tracking device on him and would be caught again. He had to come up with a way to prevent Han Ye from acting. Su Ruhui’s mind raced, and suddenly an idea struck him. He bowed his hands and said, “House Head, please don’t misunderstand. This little one is as humble as reeds and willows, truly unworthy to serve you in that way. I originally wanted to flee to preserve my chasity, but upon meeting you—witnessing your tireless dedication, working day and night without food and rest—I suddenly understood. This little one was born a person of the Paradise Pavilion, and I shall die a person of the Paradise Pavilion. That you have taken notice of me is my greatest honor.”
“Oh? You’ve come to your senses?” Yan Ye raised an eyebrow in surprise.
“But House Head, I have greater value than merely serving you! This little one will volunteer himself to tread through water and fire for the Paradise Pavilion!” Su Ruhui declared earnestly.
“What do you mean by that?” Han Ye’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.
“The day before, I made a trip back to the Jiang residence. Jiang Huaicang summoned me late at night, revealing that a rare treasure lay hidden deep within Kunlun. He also mentioned there was a ‘Maze Array’ to block secret arts cultivators from entering. The Jiang family wants this treasure, but only ordinary people can go through the maze array. Thus, Jiang Huaicang thought of Jiang Quexie. Jiang Quexie is both a descendant of the Jiang family and an ordinary person, which means he is the ideal candidate to obtain the treasure in the maze array. Now that this little one is impersonating Jiang Quexie, with the Jiang clan’s backing, infiltrating the Secret Sect is no problem. Once I locate the treasure’s whereabouts, I shall retrieve it for House Head, and our Paradise Pavilion will surely be even more famous!”
Han Ye’s expression shifted slightly, “Are these words the truth?”
His fingers tightened. Could the “treasure” Jiang Huaicang spoke of be none other than Su Ruhui?
“This little one dares not say even half a lie.” Su Ruhui pulled out five secret arts talismans and handed them to Han Ye, “House Head, please look. These are the talismans Jiang Huicang gave me for self-defense. Five whole talismans, how could I possibly have gotten my hands on so many? They were all given to me by the Jiang family.”
Han Ye looked over the talismans and found himself believing in his words.
“But you thought about escaping, so your disloyalty is clear. How could I possibly trust you? There are a bunch of ordinary people who can navigate the maze array in the Paradise Pavilion. Why would I send someone who isn’t loyal to me?” Han Ye’s lips curled into a mocking smile, “A-Qi, I had already decided to let you off yesterday. Why did you come back on your own? You’re such an amusing thing, I can’t bear to let you go. You should just stay here and serve me well.”
He raised his hand, and the members of the Paradise Pavilion moved forward to seize Su Ruhui.
“Please wait!” Su Ruhui hollered out, “I have another reason! House Head, do you know that Sang Chiyu has entered the Great Compassion Temple?”
Han Ye smiled, “Of course I know.”
“After drinking the secret drug, Sang Chiyu’s body has fully recovered. The Great Compassion Temple is now like a tiger with wings. The Paradise Pavilion and the Great Compassion Temple each dominate one side of the Underworld, seemingly coexisting peacefully. But two tigers cannot share the same mountain. If the Great Compassion Temple grows stronger, where would there be room for our Paradise Pavilion?” Su Ruhui began to bullshit, “Truth be told, Sang Chiyu has developed deep feelings towards me. During the days we were married, I gave him my utmost care and affection, and Sang Chiyu has long since pledged his heart to me. If we make good use of this little one, Sang Chiyu will surely be Paradise Pavilion’s to use, and Hei Guanyin will lose his control over Sang Chiyu.”
Han Ye laughed so hard he couldn’t stand up straight: “A-Qi, your talent for lying is as good as Su Ruhui’s. Sang Chiyu is deeply in love with you? Listen to yourself, do you even believe that?”
Su Ruhui nodded seriously, “House Head, though it sounds unbelievable, it is all true. The night before last we were still tossing and turning in bed. How else would I have known he entered the Great Compassion Hall? Naturally, it was when he was lost in passion that he confided his secret to me. Oh, and I also learned about the map of the Immortal’s Cave from Sang Chiyu. House Head should know who was imprisoned in the Immortal’s Cave before, none other than Su Ruhui, Boss Su!” He sighed deeply, “Boss Su’s remains are likely still there. House Head, with the map, perhaps we can bring his body back to the Paradise Pavilion for proper burial.”
“Did Sang Chiyu tell you all this?” Han Ye narrowed his eyes.
“Yes.” Su Ruhui said with deep sorrow, “Young Master Sang has been sincere toward me, yet I have deceived him so. For the sake of the Paradise Pavilion, I am willing to be the villain!”
Since Sang Chiyu wasn’t around, Su Ruhui could blab away without consequence. Anyway, the information he provided was genuine, and Han Ye naturally had ways to verify it.
Han Ye’s put away his smile as he slowly drew out his communication compass. “Very well. Let me ask if what you’re saying is actually true. If you’re lying even a fraction, I’ll break your limbs and keep you in a jar as human swine. Since your words are amusing, leaving just your mouth intact is enough.”
Su Ruhui stared at his compass, a doubt stirring in his heart. Who is he planning on asking? Surely not Sang Chiyu himself?
“I forgot to tell you,” Han Ye said, “The Paradise Pavilion and the Great Compassion Temple have formed a partnership. I already met Sang Chiyu yesterday and even got his communication seal.”
Su Ruhui: “…”
The communication compass lit up, spiritual energy flowed through, and a blue symbol hovered above the compass. This meant that the recipient had received the transmission.
Han Ye made a gesture, and immediately someone stepped forward to cover Su Ruhui’s mouth, preventing him from suddenly crying out for help.
Han Ye spoke: “Good morning, Sang xiong (brother/bro). Yesterday you asked me not to disturb Young Master Jiang, but after thinking it over, I still feel a bit reluctant. If Sang xiong were truly deeply in love with Young Master Jiang, then I, Han Ye, naturally wouldn’t dare take my friend’s wife. But if you two had just a marriage in name, now that you’ve joined the Underworld, you’ll never return to the Sang family. With Young Master Jiang single again, surely I can still pay him a visit or two?”
The other side did not respond.
Su Ruhui reached into his waist pouch and secretly felt for the formless gate talisman.
“Rest assured,” Han Ye said, “I won’t force him. I’ll just send some fruits and pastries to show my sincerity, that’s all.”
The compass’s seal moved, and Sang Chiyu’s voice rang out. It was the same clear and cold tone without much fluctuation.
“What do you want to ask, just say it.”
Sang Chiyu could hear that this wasn’t what he was really trying to get at.
Han Ye chuckled, “Pardon my manners, but I’m curious, did Sang xiong’s defense of him yesterday mean he’s taken a liking to this young master?”
“…”
“And,” Han Ye softened his tone, “you two haven’t already consummated your marriage, right?”
The other side fell silent for a long time.
The courtyard was deathly quiet as everyone waited for Sang Chiyu’s response. Su Ruhui had already anticipated what Sang Chiyu would say. That kid never lied, and he certainly wouldn’t just randomly admit to sleeping with a man. Having grasped the talisman, Su Ruhui counted down from five in his mind. He was about to run for it.
“Mn.”
Sang Chiyu responded on the other side of the compass.
“What do you mean?” Han Ye frowned.
“As you said,” Sang Chiyu replied, “it has happened.”
His voice was clear and sharp. It wasn’t loud, but it was loud enough for everyone to hear.
Su Ruhui froze, and his fingertips directly released the talisman.
Han Ye burst into laughter, “Well done, Sang Chiyu. You’ve made me look at you with new respect. Being capricious is one thing, but now you’re even using a substitute. Back when he was in the Underworld, Su Ruhui said that all the elite masters of the Secret Sect were unworthy of their status. Only you, Sang Chiyu, could be called a gentleman, the one opponent he truly respected. How could Su Ruhui have imagined that you, Sang Chiyu, are cut from the same cloth as us scum?”
Sang Chiyu’s tone remained unchanged, “Jiang Quexie is in your hands.”
This wasn’t a question, but a statement. He had guessed it.
“Don’t worry, I won’t touch him. He’s so cute, how could I possibly bring myself to do that?” Han Ye chuckled in a low tone.
Su Ruhui cursed inwardly, “Your grandfather’s fucking cute.”
“Speak, Jiang Quexie.”
Han Ye waved his hand, and the thugs from the Paradise Pavilion released their grip on Su Ruhui.
Su Ruhui responded: “I’m here.”
“Are you hurt?” He asked.
Su Ruhui said with a bitter smile: “No.”
“Han Ye,” Sang Chiyu’s voice was bitingly cold, “It is now three quarters past chenshi. I want to see him at the Sang residence by the first quarter of sishi. If he has even a single scratch, I will kill you.”
After leaving his words, the compass’s spiritual energy cut off and the seal disappeared.
The looks the Paradise Pavilion’s thug’s directed at Su Ruhui all became a bit weird, and even Han Ye’s gaze was quite complicated.
Han Ye stood up and patted Su Ruhui on the shoulder, “I underestimated you, A-Qi. Remember, you’re one of the Paradise Pavilion’s people. The Paradise Pavilion never treats its brothers unfairly. I, Han Ye, respect those with skill,” he gave a sly grin, “no matter what kind of skill it is.”
Su Ruhui puffed out his chest, “House Head, A-Qi would walk through fire and water for the Paradise Pavilion!”
Han Ye stood with his hands behind his back, gazing toward the distant sky. “Since you already know about the secret treasure, go and bring it back. I learned of this yesterday: the Paradise Pavilion and the Great Compassion Temple formed an alliance to infiltrate Kunlun during the recruitment of the Scout Guard. You go as well. You are still Jiang Quexie, and the Paradise Pavilion will not reveal your identity to the Great Compassion Temple.
Su Ruhui breathed a sigh of relief. He knew he had been promoted in Han Ye’s mind from a “plaything” to a “little brother.”
“Many thanks to House Head!” Su Ruhui put on a grateful smile and bowed with clasped hands.
“Come back alive, A-qi,” Han Ye said meaningfully, “I despise Su Ruhui, but I don’t despise you.”
After saying this, this guy left the money house with his gang of thugs. Su Ruhui watched his retreating figure, convinced the man still looked at him with lustful eyes. What kind of rotten romance is this? Su Ruhui covered up his face again and dragged his luggage back home. At the end of the day, he got into this situation because he was too weak and was easily taken advantage of by this group of bastards. Su Ruhui pulled out the travel pass and sawed open the wooden plaque. He found an iron bar inside, embedded with a tracking star array. The star array couldn’t be destroyed or else Han Ye would find out. Su Ruhui glued the wooden plaque back together and put it off to the side.
Then he opened the chest, and small gold ingots came into view. Su Ruhui picked up the ingots and smashed them onto the ground one by one. The gold ingots shattered into pieces, revealing what was hidden inside: spirit stone bullets, meteorite iron parts, copper lens frames, and polished crystals. Han Ye didn’t realize that these gold bricks were all hollow and stuck together. The items hidden inside were what Su Ruhui truly wanted to retrieve.
With another turn of the eight trigrams lock, the chest fully disassembled, revealing the concealed firearm beneath. Su Ruhui assembled the wrist guard, retractable steel plates, and firearm together. He attached them to his arm and finally loaded the cartridge with the spirit stone bullets. This kind of small firearm was compact and lightweight, producing minimal smoke. It wouldn’t be easily discovered.
It was just a shame that iron was banned in Yunzhou, making it hard to produce things like swords or ironware. Su Ruhui then took out his polishing tools, grinding the crystal stone into a sheet as thin as a cicada’s wing. He attached it to the copper lens frame. He put on the crystal lens and they emitted a faint blue light. The complicated lines of the star array clearly appeared before his eyes.
This crystal lens can magnify small objects, and he wore it when carving star arrays into his puppets. Going through his mental checklist of equipment, Su Ruhui felt that he was finally prepared to go to the Secret Sect.
He looked up at the sky. It was already the first quarter of sishi, yet Sang Chiyu had not appeared.
Sigh, he knew he wouldn’t come. However, he didn’t expect that Sang Chiyu would learn to lie, and even tell those kinds of lies. Su Ruhui’s heart felt complicated. That guy really changed so much. Well if he changed then he changed, everyone in the world changes. But if he had to change, why didn’t he become smarter? He actually lost his mind and got mixed in with the Great Compassion Temple. Why did he not consider hanging out with Su Ruhui instead?
Just thinking about it made him angry, but getting worked up in a hurry wouldn’t be of any use. He had to come up with a solution slowly. Su Ruhui changed into a sleek, raven-blue robe with tight sleeves, pulling the sleeves down to conceal the firearm hidden within. He slipped on his deerskin boots, slung his bundle over his shoulder, and pushed open the door to set off.
In the distance, Sang Chiyu stood on the eaves, watching Su Ruhui’s retreating figure. Confirming that Su Ruhui was ok, Sang Chiyu pulled his hood over his head, disappearing into the wind and sky.