Chapter 27: Still the Trouble Caused by Handsomeness

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Su Jian certainly could not agree to the request and once again politely refused, “Now is not the time to resolve the matter of the demon. This is far from as simple as you imagine.”
“If I confront the demon in battle, it will surely cause a great commotion, which will be noticed by the Alliance of the Righteous Path. I have confidence I can escape unscathed, but you would hardly be so fortunate.”
Furthermore, this matter could not rely solely on Ouyang Ke; he too needed to begin his own investigation, for there were simply too many uncertainties involved.
Gao Zhengde grit his teeth in secret, having already sensed something was amiss, but at present, he was powerless against Su Jian.
The other party had no intention of vanquishing the demon; otherwise, he could have spared a moment and gone with him to the lake to investigate.
Even if he didn’t intervene, surely a glance would be no trouble.
All his decades of careful preparation had been for nothing.
Gao Zhengde forced a smile and said, “Then how should I deal with the mysterious figure behind Zhang Cheng? I beg you, Master Immortal, to enlighten me.”
Su Jian replied perfunctorily, “Just remain still. The one behind Zhang Cheng has not come in person, which clearly shows their strength is lacking. If they truly posed a threat to you, you wouldn’t have the chance to stand here and speak to me now.”
With that, Su Jian hesitated no longer. With a flicker, he vanished and appeared outside.
His current strength had yet to reach the threshold required to practice the sword-riding technique, which could only be learned after the Nascent Soul stage.
Below the Nascent Soul, cultivators mostly relied on immortal cranes and tamed birds for transportation. It was said that those of extraordinary ability could tame female demons as mounts, something Su Jian had long yearned for.
This time, Su Jian chose another brothel, the Moonshade Pavilion that the system had previously suggested, but his main purpose was Ouyang Ke.
That said, he had also heard last time that the pavilion’s courtesan was famed throughout Lingzhou City, and he was curious to witness her musical arts.
Su Jian considered for a moment and decided to use the Shape-Shifting Pill; his current identity was too conspicuous to move about openly.
[Shape-Shifting Pill: Allows the user to alter their appearance completely at random for a short time. The effect lasts three days and cannot fool cultivators above the Void Return stage.]
[Would you like to spend 20,000 spiritual power to unlock?]
Su Jian decisively unlocked it, exchanged for one, and swallowed it.
[Current remaining spiritual power: 43,540.]
In an instant, Su Jian became a completely different person.

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Su Jian rubbed his cheeks; now he looked far more ordinary, whereas his previous appearance had been too striking in a crowd.
Moonshade Pavilion.
Su Jian had not yet stepped inside, but already heard the clamor from within.
He followed the sound and was immediately drawn to a young gentleman of graceful bearing, lavishly surrounded by women.
If his guess was correct, this must be Ouyang Ke.
This scoundrel, instead of focusing on his mission, was here indulging in pleasure.
Ouyang Ke whispered and flirted as he moved about, hands wandering, all while commenting on the songstress onstage, “Though the musical arts of this world cannot compare to those of my manor’s concubines, they possess a certain charm of their own...”
The courtesan in Ouyang Ke’s arms laughed coquettishly, “It seems, young master, you must be of extraordinary origin?”
Ouyang Ke replied instinctively, “Naturally... My identity... Even if I told you, you likely wouldn’t have heard of it, so it’s better left unsaid.”
The courtesan’s eyes gleamed, “But why do you carry no silver on you?”
Ouyang Ke remained unperturbed, smiling, “Have you ever seen a noble young master carry his own silver when out? I’ll be staying here these days, and someone will come to deliver your payment. Do you really think I’d lower myself and skip out on the bill?”
Su Jian quietly found a nearby seat and listened to Ouyang Ke’s bluster—clearly trying to freeload.
This courtesan deserved her reputation; without a hint of emotion, she had already uncovered Ouyang Ke’s background.
Without hesitation, she shoved Ouyang Ke aside and sneered, “Take him to the woodshed to chop firewood. He wants a free meal and doesn’t even know where he is. A mere mortal who isn’t even at the Qi Refining stage, daring to boast so shamelessly.”
Just as Su Jian thought Ouyang Ke’s days would be spent in darkness within a small, grimy room, Ouyang Ke’s gaze suddenly turned vicious. In the blink of an eye, he used his Toad Technique, snapping the courtesan’s throat.
Ouyang Ke scoffed, “I may not be a cultivator, but to take your life is all too easy.”
For a moment, the air in the hall seemed to freeze.
Ouyang Ke had already slipped away amidst the chaos, his whereabouts unknown.
All happened so suddenly that Moonshade Pavilion had no time to react.
Su Jian too was taken aback, gaining a new understanding of Ouyang Ke’s nature.

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It seemed there was no need for him to lend Ouyang Ke a hand. He had originally considered giving Ouyang Ke a chance to infiltrate the City Lord’s mansion.
Su Jian rose, feeling thoroughly disinterested, and left.
Yet he had not gone far before Ouyang Ke stopped him. The man had already changed his attire; whereas he had been a refined young master before, now he looked no different from a beggar, clad in coarse, tattered robes and exuding a foul stench.
Su Jian was somewhat surprised—had the other recognized him?
Otherwise, why would Ouyang Ke not flee, but instead stop him, risking alerting Moonshade Pavilion?
Ouyang Ke smiled, “Brother, you were watching me just now. Do you have some designs on me?”
Su Jian realized he had simply encountered a killer after treasure, and that Ouyang Ke was quite alert, his attention not only on the courtesan.
It seemed his handsome looks were to blame.
Su Jian sighed inwardly and smiled, “Brother, for a mortal you have impressive courage. I see you have a good constitution; why not step onto the path of cultivation? You are bound to accomplish great things.”
Ouyang Ke was startled and paused his Toad Technique, asking in puzzlement, “Are you a cultivator, then? Do you wish to recruit me?”
Su Jian said, “Brother, you are indeed bold. This is not the place to talk. Follow me.”
This made things convenient; he had been about to abandon the idea and let Ouyang Ke go free.
“Very well!” Ouyang Ke agreed readily. In his world, he was considered a formidable figure—when had he ever suffered such humiliation?
From the moment he learned of the cultivation path, he had longed for it.
Su Jian brought Ouyang Ke to a tavern and rented a private room.
Ouyang Ke could not help but feast heartily; the silver he had stolen from Zhang Cheng’s house had already been spent at Moonshade Pavilion to meet the courtesan.
Su Jian said kindly, “I see you are a man of ambition. To be frank, I have a grand undertaking here and am in need of a partner.”