In Zhao Yunxiao's eyes, Gang Yeshan did everything right.
From the setup of the array to the execution of the curse purification rites, each step was adhered to with great precision. Despite the long duration of the rites, Gang Yeshan did not let her age get to her, persevering to the very end while ignoring the sweat that eventually started to drench her forehead.
However, the result could only be described as disappointing.
The jade statue showed absolutely no reaction from start to end, reducing the use of materials to nothing but a grand waste, and her great efforts, a fool's dance.
As an awkward silence fell over the trio, Old Ping was the first to speak.
"Did it work?" Old Ping asked uncertainly.
"No," Gang Yeshan closed her eyes and muttered through heavy breathing. "No, it did not work."
"This..." Old Ping glanced over at Zhao Yunxiao.
"The rites have been executed properly. If there really was a curse placed on the statue, there should have been some sort of reaction even if we failed to purify it entirely," Zhao Yunxiao explained. "The fact that there has been no reaction at all means that the cause of the problem is not a curse."
Of course, things were not nearly as straightforward as that.
It could also be that the curse was of such a high level that the curse purification rites failed to disturb it even the slightest. But if that was truly the case, then Zhao Yunxiao would not have any other solutions either.
Or at the very least, not without making a tonne of other preparations.
"Does that mean all those materials have gone to waste for nothing?" Old Ping asked, her heart aching as she thought back to how much it cost.
"Not exactly. They allowed us to directly eliminate curses as a possible cause, and that alone is something," Gang Yeshan answered before turning to Zhao Yunxiao. "I guess we will now proceed to investigate the spirit possession route?"
In the message from the Black Tortoise Sect, it was concluded that the arhat idol statue had either been afflicted with a curse or possessed by an evil spirit.
Now that the former had been ruled out, there was only one other possible cause left.
"That's right," Zhao Yunxiao nodded. "Follow the recommended steps. First, we would have to determine if the statue is truly possessed by an evil spirit. Then we move on to the next step – helping to relieve it of any lingering obsessions and deliver it for reincarnation."
If that did not work, then forceful elimination would have to be considered. But of course, he knew better than to mention that in front of the statue, where the spirit could very well be residing right now.
"I understand," Gang Yeshan had largely recovered by now. "Old Ping, do you still have the list of materials required?"
"Yes, Granny Gang. I will get the servants to procure everything as soon as possible," Old Ping replied.
"Good," Gang Yeshan said. "Do you have any other instructions, Young Hero? If not, shall we wait for the materials to be gathered before returning?"
"Mm," Zhao Yunxiao agreed.
As much as he would like to examine the statue further, he would rather do so after resolving the current issues. Otherwise, who knew what could happen while he was searching the statue for clues?
After following Zhao Yunxiao's lead in paying their respects to the statue, Gang Yeshan led the way out of the temple.
But the moment the trio stepped through the door, they were promptly greeted by a familiar face – a face that Zhao Yunxiao would have very much preferred not to see.
"Ahha! You guys are finally out!" Hei Lao exclaimed in joy. "I have already been waiting for hours. If you guys still don't come out soon, I might have just entered on my own!"
There he was, the infamous young master of the Hei Clan, accompanied by a dozen servants who were standing behind him.
"Why are you here, Young Master?" Gang Yeshan asked. "Is there something wrong?"
"Wrong? What could possibly be wrong? Things can't get any better than this!" Hei Lao laughed. "That said, I am very disappointed in you, Granny Gang! How could you not let me know that an esteemed member of the Black Tortoise Sect has arrived at our Hei Residence? Now I look like some snobbish young master who could not be deigned to meet our honoured guest!"
"Young Master seems really busy nowadays, so I decided to do my part by handling this on my own without troubling you," Gang Yeshan said with an amiable smile. "But since Young Master is already here, this is Young Hero Zhao from the Black Tortoise Sect. Young Hero, this is Young Master Hei, the current head of the Hei Clan."
"So, it is Young Hero Zhao!" Hei Lao exclaimed. "Your noble air is truly extraordinary, giving off an aura of prestige in such an effortless manner. This lowly one is in awe!"
"Young Master Hei is too kind," Zhao Yunxiao nodded towards Hei Lao in response.
At the same time, he could not help but sigh in his heart. As expected, it was impossible to completely avoid the prodigal Hei Lao. Since that was the case, he could only hope to reduce their contact to a minimum moving forward.
"Not at all. I'm just speaking the truth," Hei Lao waved his hands. "You have my deepest gratitude for coming all the way to fix the problem with the arhat idol statue. Now that you are here, I'm sure the problem will be resolved in the blink of an eye! It is nothing much, but I have already instructed the servants to prepare a banquet to welcome Young Hero Zhao, using nothing but the finest ingredients one can find in the city. So, let's have a good chat while we wait for them to be done!"
"I appreciate the thought, but that won't be necessary," Zhao Yunxiao politely declined. "I still have something to tend to, so I would have to take my leave."
"Oh? Is Young Hero Zhao not interested in good food?" Hei Lao let out a sly smile. "In that case, how about we enjoy something else? My Hei Residence has just gotten a fresh batch of girls, all of them young and untainted. I'm not suggesting anything strange, but if Young Hero Zhao is interested, we can have a few of them serve you meals or accompany you for either a few hours, or perhaps a full night..."
"Ahem!" Gang Yeshan coughed awkwardly. "Young Master, since the young hero is busy, let's not keep him here for too long."
"It's not that I want to say this, but you really don't understand the thoughts of men, Granny Gang. How about this? Why don't we let Young Hero Zhao decide for himself?" Hei Lao shrugged. "Oh right, you must have heard of the private discussion going on at the city hall? Looking at the time, it should be about done by now. After we have our fun, I can also share some insider information from the discussion once my informant returns!"
Hearing this, Zhao Yunxiao could not help but hesitate. Hei Lao actually touched on the right topic there – he was indeed interested in the contents of the private discussion at the city hall today.
The main reason why he had chosen not to go was because he did not want to be involved with the Scarlet Leaf Sect. But if he could get the same information in such a noncommittal manner, then it was truly a tempting proposition.
As for minimising his involvement with Hei Lao, it should be manageable as long as he remembered to act distant during the banquet.
"Since Young Master Hei is so insistent, I shall make an exception and accept your offer today," Zhao Yunxiao said. "But there's no need for anything like this in the future."
"Ahha! That's fine, that's fine! Only today, only for now!" Hei Lao laughed. "See, Granny Gang? It is still men who understand men the best! Well then, would Young Hero Zhao like a tour of the residence?"
Gang Yeshan: "..."
"That would not be necessary. Instead, I would like to have a rest until the banquet," Zhao Yunxiao answered.
"Oh? Hahaha! I understand, I definitely understand!" Hei Lao nodded profusely. "Men, show Young Hero Zhao to the best guest room we have. And gather all the new servants – I will personally choose the best one to accompany Young Hero Zhao during his rest!"
"No, that's not what I meant," Zhao Yunxiao hurriedly interjected. "I really meant to have a rest."
"Yes, yes, I understand. I will make sure that you have the best rest!" Hei Lao continued to nod. "Please pardon me for now, as I go tend to the necessary."
"..." Zhao Yunxiao could only watch speechlessly as Hei Lao hurried off.
"My apologies for his impudence, Young Hero. You don't have to play along if you don't wish to," Gang Yeshan remarked. "If you are agreeing because you wish to hear more information on today's private discussion at the city hall, I can ask around for you as well."
"...Is that so?" Zhao Yunxiao immediately regretted his decision, but tried not to let his feelings show. "But that's not it either. I am a little curious, but it's not that important. I just do not wish to let your young master's efforts completely go to waste."
As much as he would have loved for the information to be provided to him without having to get involved with Hei Lao, he had already agreed to it, so it would be strange if he suddenly reneged on his word. In any case, just a simple dinner would not hurt.
At the same time, he did not want Gang Yeshan to misunderstand that he was interested in getting involved with the Scarlet Leaf Sect either. After all, who knew just how many people in the city she was connected to?
"Young Hero is truly generous. It seems that I still have a lot to learn from the teachings of the Black Tortoise Sect," Gang Yeshan sighed. "In that case, I shall not disturb your rest any longer. Men, bring the young hero to the best guest room as the young master has instructed."
This time, Zhao Yunxiao was brought to a room that was even larger than the one yesterday.
In terms of space and furnishing, everything was definitely superior. But apart from that, the architectural style remained largely the same, combining the elements of jade and oak.
There were still three hours to burn before the banquet, so he decided to meditate for the time being.
However, he had only barely settled on the bed when knocks came from the door.
"Enter," Zhao Yunxiao said without moving from his cross-legged position.
The door slowly opened and a young lady stepped in. By the time she closed the door behind her, an alluring waft of perfume fragrance had already permeated throughout the room.
She looked to be in her late teens, around Zhao Yunxiao's age. Her facial features were soft and muted, akin to a doll. Her skin was soft and smooth, and her long luscious hair was let down freely to reach her chest. Yet even the cover of her long hair and silk dress failed to fully obscure the distinct curves she possessed.
There would hardly be any men who would look at her and not think that she was beautiful.
"Young Hero Zhao, Xiao Chan is here to serve you on the young master's orders," she said while performing a simple curtsy by the door.
"There is no need for that," Zhao Yunxiao answered after taking a quick glance at her. "You may leave. I am fine alone."
While this Xiao Chan was objectively beautiful, Zhao Yunxiao's visual standards had already been rather skewed after hanging out with Lu Zhiying for the past few months. This had unknowingly granted him a greater resistance against beauty.
"This..." Xiao Chan was clearly caught by surprise, not knowing what to do next.
"What's wrong? Did you not hear me?" Zhao Yunxiao frowned.
"T-That's not it!" Xiao Chan quickly knelt down upon sensing Zhao Yunxiao's displeasure. "But Xiao Chan is willing to do anything Young Hero Zhao wants. Please just don't send me away!"
Zhao Yunxiao's frown deepened for a moment, then he let out a helpless sigh.
From the looks of it, there were serious consequences that she would have to bear if she were to leave too early. After all, she was sent here to please him, so it would not be surprising if being asked to leave immediately was seen as a form of failure on her part.
And considering Hei Lao's personality, who knew what the punishment could entail?
Zhao Yunxiao stood up from the bed and walked over, stopping around a metre away from her. As he checked her out from head to toe, the young girl could not help but look down at her feet, her cheeks turning red in embarrassment.
"This is not the attire of a servant," Zhao Yunxiao pointed out.
"Young Hero Zhao is wise. I don't usually get to wear such luxurious clothing," Xiao Chan answered meekly. "Old Ping made me change into this before coming to serve you."
"And that perfume as well?" Zhao Yunxiao asked.
"Y-Yes..." Xiao Chan nervously swallowed a mouthful of saliva.
"I see. You said your name is Xiao Chan? If I didn't remember wrongly, you should have just joined the Hei Residence two days ago?"
"T-That's right. That is why I have been chosen to serve Young Master Zhao. Because I am..." Xiao Chan bit her lower lip in hesitation before continuing. "Because I am still... untainted."
Zhao Yunxiao had personally witnessed her being procured like a commodity from the slave market two days ago, so she was indeed new to the Hei Clan.
"Still untainted? Really?" Zhao Yunxiao smiled and gently lifted her chin with a finger. "How fortunate."
Xiao Chan shuddered slightly at the touch, and her face flushed redder as she matched Zhao Yunxiao's gaze.
"Well then, what was it that you said earlier?" Zhao Yunxiao asked while staring into her eyes. "Will you really do anything I want?"
"Y-Yes," Xiao Chan felt her throat drying. "I will do anything Young Hero Zhao says."
Zhao Yunxiao leaned in closer, and Xiao Chan instinctively closed her eyes.
"Good," Zhao Yunxiao whispered softly into her ears. "Then go sit at the table and wait in silence. Let me know only when it is time for the banquet."