A few days ago I came down with a cold and a fever, and now the coughing won't stop. Utter misery.
*******
"Would you have me just stand by and watch?!" Xiang Yong roared, his expression shifting ceaselessly, his face twisted and ferocious as he warred with himself inside.
Seeing this, Zhou Zheng said, "Xiang Yong, this is exactly the time to stay calm. One reckless move on your part could ruin everything."
"Easy words to say — but meaningless!" Xiang Yong growled. "Steward Zhou, just pretend you know nothing about any of this. I'm going to go kill him right now!"
"If you want him dead, you don't have to do it yourself!" Zhou Zheng sneered.
Xiang Yong, who had been about to head out the door, immediately halted mid-step and turned to stare at Zhou Zheng.
Zhou Zheng's expression changed. "I was talking nonsense after drinking — pay it no mind. It's late. I'll be going back to rest now." As he spoke, he tried to push past and leave.
Xiang Yong's great axe swept down, biting into the floor in front of Zhou Zheng's path. His massive frame blocked the doorway as he looked down at the steward from above.
Zhou Zheng was unafraid. He narrowed his eyes slightly. "Xiang Yong, are you looking to make a move against me? I've had too much to drink and my mind's a bit foggy — but you look like the one who's lost his head."
Xiang Yong said in a low voice, "I know full well that Steward Zhou is a Seventh-Order Open Heaven cultivator and no match for me in a fight. If it came to blows, I'd only end up humiliated. But this matter with Die You concerns me deeply. If Steward Zhou has a good plan, I'd be grateful if you'd share it plainly."
"And if I refuse?" Zhou Zheng stared at him coldly.
Xiang Yong let out a hideous laugh. "You may be an Open Heaven realm master, but you're only Seventh-Order. If I stake my life on it, I reckon I could still tear two or three pounds of flesh from your body!"
"Have you gone mad?!" Zhou Zheng's face drained of color.
Xiang Yong rubbed his head, his expression savage. "I'm asking you to teach me, Steward Zhou!"
Zhou Zheng said nothing, and the two locked eyes. In Xiang Yong's gaze there was only iron resolve and vicious determination.
After a long silence, Zhou Zheng finally spoke. "Xiang Yong, why must you torment yourself like this? If Miss Die You has no feelings for you, why keep hounding her?"
"That's my own affair — the Steward need not concern himself with it!"
Zhou Zheng sighed. "This matter really isn't any of my business, and frankly, I'd rather not get involved. But seeing how deeply you've fallen for her, I suppose I could offer you a piece of advice. However..."
Xiang Yong cut in, "Steward Zhou, rest assured — whatever happens, this has nothing to do with you. Whatever the outcome, I, Xiang, will bear the consequences alone!"
"Very well!" Zhou Zheng nodded. "In that case, lean in close!"
Xiang Yong hurried over. Zhou Zheng lowered his voice and whispered at length. As he listened, Xiang Yong's expression shifted dramatically. He couldn't help but marvel inwardly — this Zhou Zheng fellow truly was ruthless and cunning. If this was really possible, Yang Kai was as good as dead, and without a single drop of blood being spilled!
After a moment, Zhou Zheng said gravely, "This matter is far too risky. If it's exposed, you'll be finished. Think it over carefully."
Xiang Yong let out a low, sinister chuckle. "That's a splendid idea, Steward. If I don't put it to use, I'd be doing you a disservice."
"What does this have to do with me?!" Zhou Zheng was alarmed.
Xiang Yong quickly slapped his own mouth. "You're right, you're right — it has nothing to do with Steward Zhou. It's entirely my own idea. Come, come, let's drink!"
The table had already been kicked over — what was there left to drink? Zhou Zheng swept his sleeve and turned away. "It's late. I'm going back to rest."
Xiang Yong called after him, "Then I'll be counting on Steward Zhou for the day after tomorrow."
Zhou Zheng nearly stumbled. He couldn't quite tell whether the scheme he'd just suggested would prove a blessing or a curse for himself, but it was too late for regrets now. Judging from Xiang Yong's demeanor, the man was dead set on going through with it. All Zhou Zheng could do was silently pray that the blow would strike true and leave his target with no chance to ever rise again.
***
Life in the menial workers' quarters was uneventful. After returning from Die You's place, Yang Kai simply sat in meditation and rested. The next day he dragged Old Fang along to the market again, mostly to broaden his horizons.
Though he already had a general sense of what the market offered, many of the stalls still had all manner of oddities on display — exotic trinkets that the menial workers had brought out from their own personal World Quarters.
Buying that bottle of third-grade Purified Gold Dew for Die You had practically bankrupted him, and he'd even borrowed a handful of Open Heaven Pills from Old Fang. But he wasn't too worried — next month he'd be earning a hefty batch of pills again.
In the market, all food and drink went on Old Fang's tab. Naturally, Old Fang didn't fuss over it with him. This time, the old man even led him with great secrecy to a particular place.
The location was extraordinarily well-hidden. From the outside it looked utterly unremarkable, but once inside, one discovered an entire world within. And the visitors here weren't limited to the menial workers — quite a few of the Seven Paradigm Sect's own Disciples came and went through its doors. Many wore the seven-colored robes of the sect and could be seen with women on either arm, thoroughly enjoying themselves.
Yang Kai was stunned. He grabbed Old Fang and exclaimed, "There's actually a place like this in the market?!"
Old Fang snorted dismissively. "What's so strange about that? This sort of business has existed since ancient times — it's everywhere."
"These women… who are they?" Yang Kai looked around.
Old Fang sighed. "They're all workers from various spirit grounds. Everyone's just trying to get by. Before, they didn't have the means, but now that they do, those who can help will help when they can."