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Mi Bai looked extremely conflicted. He knew full well how difficult it would be to escape with the children to Clear Water county, yet returning to Xiling was akin to throwing themselves into a trap. After all, besides the Righteous Gang, there was also Feng Dezheng backed by the Feng family. This was his biggest dilemma.

He didn’t believe he could come across another young hero like this. When the people from Qingfeng Bank eventually came knocking, what would he do then?

Elder Xu, observing Mi Bai’s hesitation, glanced at the bodies on the ground and noticed the character for “righteous” on his opponent’s left arm. It seemed that this was the source of his worry.

“You don’t have to worry about these ruffians. I’ll ensure you and the children are safe. Once the child recovers, I will arrange a guard mission to escort you to Clear Water county. Consider it my compensation for accidentally hurting him,” Elder Xu said earnestly, his playful peach blossom eyes filled with sincerity.

The young hero had already saved them once. Revealing Feng Dezheng and the Feng family’s matter now would feel like betraying him. Mi Bai simply couldn’t bring himself to do such a thing.

Moreover, Goudan’s injury was indeed not conducive to traveling, so he gritted his teeth and said, “Thank you.”

As long as the Righteous Gang didn’t come knocking too soon, even if Feng Dezheng captured him, it would be okay, because he wouldn’t harm the children.

“It’s no trouble, no trouble at all!” Elder Xu waved his hand, his heart feeling lighter.

The guilt that came from making such a mistake was the most headache-inducing, but fortunately, he had only grazed the other’s right rib. If he had pierced through the heart, he wouldn’t know how to face himself. A single accurate control of multiple sword energies was still too much for him.

Elder Xu led the group into the city, the children trailing behind them, while the ferocious Star Moon Coral Rhinoceros was left far behind.

Wild beasts exude an aura that has a significant impact on children, easily harming their young spirits.

To accommodate the children’s pace, Elder Xu and Mi Bai were walking slowly.

The two young men of about the same age started to chat intermittently.

“I’m Xu Laoying. What’s your name?”

“I’m Mi Bai.”

“Who are these children?”

“They are orphans who have lost their parents.”

“Why were those ruffians chasing you?”

“Because I refused to help them forge handwriting.”

“You have quite a scholarly air about you.” Elder Xu praised, noting Mi Bai’s lack of possessions and plain clothing. Despite his ability to provide for so many orphans and uphold his True Heart, he remained incorruptible by wealth.

He greatly admired such people.

“How could I have such an aura?” Mi Bai laughed bitterly and shook his head, self-deprecatingly saying, “It’s simply a reflection of a scholar’s sentiment.”

He, of course, knew that as long as he nodded his head and imitated a few pieces of calligraphy each day, a hefty amount of gold coins would fill his bag. It was similar to when he sold calligraphy in Fengqing Alley in the past few years – the passionate locals would always say the same thing.

“You can’t make much money selling calligraphy in Fengqing Alley. If you want to make money, you should follow the example of the prosperous North City.”

There was a literate man in Fengqing Alley who, like Mi Bai, used to sell calligraphy. However, he started forging and began living a more prosperous life year after year, getting married and buying a house.

Between the lines, there was regret for his wasted talent as well as a bit of criticism – if they could write such good calligraphy, they would have been rich by now.

Mi Bai, of course, wanted wealth. He wanted to buy a house where he could place these pitiful children and teach them to read and write.

If bright youngsters like Yang Fan chose to learn martial arts, he could send them to a martial arts school. Growing into a top-notch Mortal Realm expert would be considered a success.

But every time he thought about attaching someone else’s name on the calligraphy he wrote, he felt uneasy. It felt like the last piece of pure land in his heart was disappearing, like he was losing evidence of his own existence.

Having lost his parents at a young age, he was most desperate when he had nothing to rely on. He would use a wooden branch to write characters by the Lingjiang riverside – Heaven lays great tasks on those who are to receive great things. One’s heart must be tried and strengthened, their bones labored, their bodies starved, and their actions disrupted. Only by enduring all these hardships can one be capable of anything.

The words of the sages encouraged him to persevere during his hardest times. Now that he had a job and a roof over his head, if he ruined that one place of purity in his heart out of temporary greed, he wouldn’t know how to face his True Heart.

To others, calligraphy is just about elegance and craft; to him, every stroke is his faith, his life.

When Old Xu Ying led the group into Xiling City, the luxurious mansions were all brightly lit.

With the appearance of their Star Moon Coral Rhinoceros, it was like a new beast king entering the territory of other beasts. Its undisguised wild bestial dominance posed a huge provocation to the other beasts in the Spirit Beast Gardens of the clans.

For a moment, roars of beasts erupted, waking the entire West City in a chorus of wild howls.

Old Xu Ying controlled the Star Moon Coral beast, stopping its enraged roars of provocation. His current priority was to find a medical center for the child. He didn’t want to start a fight in the middle of a peaceful night.

As a city renowned for its commerce, Xiling lived up to its reputation as the Pearl of Lingjiang. Even late at night, many medical centers were still open for business.

He settled Mi Bai and the others in a medical center named “Renewed Spring Hall”.

“Rest here,” Old Xu Ying instructed Mi Bai. “I’ve made arrangements with the doctor here, who will not reveal your whereabouts to anyone who comes asking, at least not until I come back.”

“I have some things to take care of, and I’ll be back here by tomorrow evening at the latest. Don’t wander around.”

Mi Bai nodded in agreement and gratefully said, “Thank you, Young Hero Xu.”

Old Xu Ying waved his hand dismissively, then turned around and left.

If one were to list the industries in Xiling that operated around the clock, brothels and medical centers would undoubtedly rank first and second.

Prosperity inevitably leads to indulgence, especially in a long-peaceful trading city where the supply of courtesans is unceasing. Like chives, every year a large number of courtesans are redeemed, and each year sees a new crop of fresh, promising talents.

Incidents of fights breaking out over courtesans occur daily. The culprits are usually young masters from affluent families who, despite having their bodyguards with them, prefer to fight bare-chested.

In many cases, before the fight can conclude, the combatants are swept away by blasts of Qi and urgently sent for medical treatment.

Because of this, brothels and medical centers have become a sort of linked industry chain, a phenomenon that is rather baffling.

The North and South City districts, divided by the Lingjiang River, are the most prosperous areas in Xiling City.

The most high-end brothel in the North City is undoubtedly the Tianxiang Building.

When Old Xu Ying arrived on his Star Moon Coral Beast at this magnificent building glowing with neon lights, he couldn’t help but marvel at its splendor.

This would be ten times grander than the largest brothel in Middle Ying City.

He casually tossed his beast jade into a turtle sculpture’s hand and strutted into the Tianxiang Building, feeling strangely at home.

Although this was his first visit, all brothels were more or less the same – regardless of their grandeur; spending money on women was at the heart of their business.

Even if it were called “Holy Maiden Building”, it would still be so.

A dashing young man with peach blossom eyes wore a light smile as he stepped into the lobby.

“Oh my, sir! We’ve missed you. You’ve finally come,” a scantily-dressed, busty courtesan waved her handkerchief and came close, clinging to Old Xu Ying’s arm.

Her familiarity made it seem as though she was his old flame.

This theatrical routine of the brothel was as old as time itself. Old Xu Ying chuckled inwardly and said lightly, “No food or drink, no music – just bring me a lady.”

The courtesan clung to his arm, twisting her body, her smile even brighter. “Oh, the young master is in such a hurry. Will I do?” she asked.

Old Xu Ying laughed and nodded, “Yes.”

The courtesan’s face stiffened. She hadn’t expected the young man to agree so readily, leaving her at a loss for words.

“And bring seven more ladies to the room with us,” Old Xu Ying patted the courtesan’s shoulder and instructed.

Eight ladies for the night, that was the level Young Master Longfeng was currently at..