352: It’s good to be lustful

“Alright,” Xu Sanyan replied, getting up to tidy his robes. His gaze swept around, inadvertently passing over the painting on the wall.

The once extremely vibrant painting seemed to have dimmed somewhat, and even the ferocious figures within it were no longer so terrifying.

This painting was indeed connected to that Formation!

Xu Sanyan took out the spirit essence from his Storage Pouch and examined it closely.

This object was indeed the condensed spirit essence of Zuoqiu Zhen; there was no doubt about that. He recognized it, otherwise he wouldn't have agreed to cooperate with her.

Yet, Zuoqiu Zhen had abandoned this item just to trick him, indicating that this thing didn't seem that important to her.

“Mr. Lin, Mother is still waiting,” Wang Zixuan reminded softly as she tidied her appearance.

“Hmm, let’s go.”

The two walked along the long corridor to the reception hall. Third Madam was sitting in the hall, sipping tea, her expression calm and unchanged.

Third Madam put down her teacup and gently wiped the corner of her mouth. “A thief broke in yesterday, attempting to steal the Family’s treasure. Are you aware of this?”

Xu Sanyan’s expression was normal. “Was the thief caught?”

Third Madam took a deep breath and shook her head. “No, there might be an internal spy in the Family. The Wang Family Head will question you both later. Just tell the truth.”

“Yes.”

“Hmm, follow me then.”

Xu Sanyan followed Third Madam deeper into the residence, and casually reached out to pull Wang Zixuan’s collar, covering the red mark on her neck.

Everyone they met along the way greeted Third Madam, showing her high status in the Wang Family.

“Greetings, Third Madam.”

“Third Madam.”

Passing through the archway, many people had already gathered in the garden, most of them Guest Elders and devotees hired by the Wang Family.

Xu Sanyan’s eyes narrowed; he saw Zuoqiu Zhen in the crowd!

This woman actually didn’t run?

Zuoqiu Zhen also saw him. Their gazes met, and Zuoqiu Zhen smiled slightly, as if she wasn't the one who had caused such a commotion last night.

Zuoqiu Zhen’s gaze shifted to the secret realm fruit, tightly wrapped in a large banner behind Xu Sanyan, as if warning Xu Sanyan not to speak too much.

“Heh…”

Xu Sanyan sneered inwardly, ‘Dead woman, don’t let me catch an opportunity!’

Now they both had leverage over each other; tearing off the masks at this moment would benefit neither of them.

“You wait here,” Third Madam instructed, walking into the house alone.

“Yes, Mother,” Wang Zixuan replied.

At this moment, a voice entered Xu Sanyan’s ear, it was Zuoqiu Zhen’s spiritual transmission.

“The previous conditions still stand. I will give you the latter half of the Formation later.”

Xu Sanyan ignored her, not even glancing at her.

Zuoqiu Zhen smiled slightly, not caring. After all, she was the one who had tricked him, so it was normal for Xu Sanyan to harbor resentment.

At this moment, the Grand Elder pushed open the door and walked out. His gaze swept around, and he casually pointed to two people, saying, “You two, come in with me.”

Xu Sanyan knew that the investigation was about to begin.

The investigation was very quick. In a short while, the two came out of the room, and the Grand Elder pointed to two more people to enter the room.

An entire morning passed, and everyone present had been questioned. Xu Sanyan had ‘fought all night’ with Wang Zixuan yesterday, and many people had heard the loud ‘battle’ sounds, so they could all testify for him.

He just didn’t know how Zuoqiu Zhen had managed to fool them.

As the crowd dispersed, the courtyard returned to quiet.

Many people were sitting inside the room, all of them the influential figures of the Wang Family, including the Wang Family Head, the Grand Elder, and the four Madams.

The Wang Family Head’s eyes showed contemplation as he softly asked, “Has Lin Fan’s background been thoroughly investigated?”

The Grand Elder shook his head. “Guangyuan Sect is too far; the people who went haven’t returned yet.”

“Hmm…” The Wang Family Head nodded slightly.

At this moment, Third Madam suddenly spoke, “I feel like he has a problem.”

“Oh?”

The Wang Family Head turned his head and asked, “How so?”

“I don’t know, but he definitely has a problem.”

The Grand Elder shook his head without speaking. Although he didn’t say anything, it was clear that he didn’t agree with Third Madam’s statement.

This child spends all day cultivating at home, and he hasn't made any moves. What problem could he have?

Except perhaps being a bit lustful…

The Grand Elder recalled Wang Ying and Wang Yu’s words; the two had invited ‘Lin Fan’ to play in a small Family affiliated with the Wang Family, and he hadn't refused. From this, it was evident that he should be lustful.

Of course, being lustful wasn't much of a problem. What man isn't fond of women? Even if he isn't fond of women, he must be fond of men.

Even at his age, he still kept many concubines and catamites.

The Grand Elder had a good impression of ‘Lin Fan,’ after all, he had saved his life.

The Wang Family Head slowly nodded. “Hmm… then pay more attention. This child has extraordinary talent. If he can be brought into the Wang Family, he might become a great asset in the future.”

“Alright,” the Grand Elder said. This was his thought as well.

The next generation of the Wang Family was experiencing a talent shortage, with very few gifted individuals. If they could recruit a son-in-law, it wouldn't be a bad idea.

Third Madam said no more, her mind replaying her daughter’s hoarse, high-pitched cries from last night, feeling inexplicably uncomfortable.

What good person would go at it all night long?

Though her daughter was probably very happy.

Great Madam said, “It’s almost time to change the tan milk. Why don’t we let him handle this matter? Xuanku Mountain hasn’t been very peaceful lately, so it’s a good opportunity for him to go and give them a warning.”

The Wang Family Head thought for a moment and nodded in agreement. “Okay.”

...

Late at night, Xu Sanyan sat quietly in his room, waiting for a visitor.

Until midnight, a gentle breeze swept past the window, and looking inside, another figure had appeared in the room.

“You’re here,” Xu Sanyan’s expression remained unchanged.

“I’m here,” Zuoqiu Zhen looked around.

“Bang!”

Xu Sanyan slammed the table and stood up, his calm face suddenly contorting into a furious expression as if he had changed faces. “You still dare to come!”

Zuoqiu Zhen didn't offer much explanation, simply throwing a Storage Pouch to him.

Xu Sanyan caught it, opened it, and immediately showed surprise, then a smile bloomed on his face.

“Sit, please sit quickly.”

Zuoqiu Zhen rolled her eyes and didn’t sit. “I was indeed wrong about this matter. The extra is compensation for you.”

Xu Sanyan waved his hand carelessly. “Hey, why say such things? Besides, I didn’t suffer any losses, so let’s just let it go.”

Anyway, it was Lin Fan who went missing, so he really didn't lose anything.

Zuoqiu Zhen said, “I’m leaving.”

“Where to?”

“The matter is done, I’m leaving here.”

“Hmm…” Xu Sanyan raised an eyebrow. “Why tell me this?”

Zuoqiu Zhen looked at Xu Sanyan, who was feigning ignorance, and helplessly extended her hand. “Can you return the item to me?”

“Oh~ Look at my head, I completely forgot until you mentioned it.” Xu Sanyan suddenly realized, taking out a gold ball the size of a baby’s fist from his Storage Pouch and handing it to her.

Zuoqiu Zhen frowned deeply, looking at the spirit essence that had shrunk by more than half, and sighed softly. She felt like she had lost out, but there was no way to get the item back, so she could only swallow her bitterness.

“Until we meet again.”

“Don’t bother seeing me out.”

Xu Sanyan watched the disappearing Zuoqiu Zhen, then took out another gold ball from his Storage Pouch.

He had split that spirit essence in half, keeping the larger half for himself.