Chapter 8

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At the end of the corridor, more than ten feet away, Liao Cai, who was leading the way, slowly stopped. For some unknown reason, he suddenly stretched his neck to listen, then turned back and whispered, "The madam heard that I found a young accounting scholar and decided to meet him on the spot. She is currently resting in her room, so please wait a moment."

Wujiao was puzzled and somewhat curious. What madam? Don't take me for a fool; she's just a brothel madam, putting on such airs!

Liao Cai seemed wary and turned to leave silently. Wang Gui, on the other hand, stood guard at the foot of the stairs, continuing his duty.

Wujiao stood in the corridor, looking around. A moment later, he walked toward the only room at the end that had a light. Just as he reached the door, he heard a woman inside screaming in pain. He was startled and quickly took a few steps back. The screaming suddenly slowed, followed by a man's laughter and heavy breathing...

Wujiao was stunned for a moment, then suddenly understood something. He rolled his eyes and spat in disgust.

At that moment, someone inside spoke, "Who's outside the door? Get lost..."

"Sir, please wait, it might be a new servant we just bought..."

"If that's the case, I'll come another day..."

"Sir, you are truly skilled. No wonder the girls at Ruyi Pavilion praise you so much..."

"Hehe, this is a technique from the immortals. Not only does it have the wonder of dual cultivation, but it can also extend one's life. You lucky vixen..."

"..."

Wujiao, listening to the commotion inside, couldn't help but shake his head and laugh strangely. His clenched teeth and scowling face made it clear he was on the verge of anger.

There was actually a scholar inside, while the scholar outside became a servant?

As the laughter faded, the door creaked open. In the flickering light, someone stepped out.

Wujiao immediately returned to his normal state and took the opportunity to observe closely.

The person who came out was a young man with a handsome face, his wide sleeves fluttering, his demeanor relaxed, and a faint exotic fragrance emanating from him. He stood at the door, his gaze slightly sinister, full of disdain, then raised his head and laughed, and sauntered away.

"Come in..."

Wujiao was still sizing up the young man who had left. Hearing the voice, he hesitated for a moment, then slowly moved his feet. Just as he stepped into the room, he was startled again.

This was a beautifully decorated room, exuding luxury at first glance.

In the bright candlelight, a woman in her thirties or forties lay on a brocade bed, her hair disheveled and her clothes in disarray, still showing the signs of a recent revel. Her eyes were filled with spring, and she said with a smile, "You are the new Mr. Wu, quite a decent-looking young man..."

Wujiao stood at the door, glanced around, and lowered his head, bowing and saying, "I have only read a few books and do not dare to be called a scholar!" He had always been proud of his status as a scholar, but today he found the title rather dull.

"Hehe, I just love young and inexperienced boys! According to Mr. Mushi, pure yang replenishing yin is the true art..."

The woman on the bed laughed, her body trembling, and continued, "If you don't mind, you can call me Sister Peach. From tomorrow, you will serve me, and I will slowly train you..."

Mr. Mushi must be the man who just left. He's a happy-go-lucky person, teaching pure yang replenishing yin, regardless of poetry and literature. What a huge difference between scholars!

Wujiao raised his head, and the scene before him was filled with allure. The exposed limbs, the strong fragrance, the seductive gaze, and the provocative words left him at a loss. His eyes twitched, and he forced a smile, but still couldn't bring himself to call her "Sister Peach," and instead looked away, blushing.

The woman on the bed became even more pleased and laughed seductively. After a moment, she stretched her plump arms and said, "I'm tired, we'll talk tomorrow..."

Wujiao felt as if he had been granted a reprieve. He hurriedly raised his hand in acknowledgment, turned, and rushed out the door, taking a few quick steps before letting out a long sigh.

To think that I, Wujiao, was once a famous young master in the capital, and now I have fallen to such a state. Truly, fate is unpredictable!

The previous pretense was just a temporary measure. A servant in a brothel? Don't think I'm easy to bully. Even though I have long been accustomed to life and death, honor and disgrace, I cannot stay in this wretched place for a moment longer...

In a moment, he reached the stairs.

Wang Gui, who was waiting, turned and went down the stairs, his face showing impatience and jealousy. Perhaps he envied the favor of the madam, which was a dream for many!

Wujiao didn't stop, stepping into the corridor. Suddenly, he lifted his foot and stomped down hard.

Wang Gui, caught off guard, tumbled forward, hitting the wall with a "bang" and then falling to the stairs with a "thud."

Wujiao bounded out of the stairwell and ran a few steps before turning back.

Wang Gui, holding his head and groaning, still dazed, saw someone return and tried to struggle and counterattack.

Wujiao rushed over and kicked him again, then grabbed a key and ran. In a few breaths, he was back in the room where he had started. He grabbed his bag from the bed, left the room, crossed the courtyard, and headed straight for the storeroom.

At that moment, shouts echoed in the courtyard, "Thief! Someone, come quickly..."

A teacher, an accountant, then a servant, and finally a thief. In one day, this young master has undergone an unimaginable transformation. All this is thanks to Liao Cai. And that damn Wang Gui, I should have kicked you to cripple you just now!

Wujiao reached the storeroom, opened the lock, pulled the bolt, and kicked the door open, shouting, "Come with me quickly..."

In the dim light of the oil lamp, Xing'er and Zao'er were huddled together, dozing off. They were suddenly awakened and stood up, unsure of what to do.

Without hesitation, Wujiao grabbed the two children and pushed them toward the door.

People were beginning to move around in the courtyard, and the light from torches flickered around.

Wujiao's face changed, and he ran toward the gate. Suddenly, he turned back and called out, "Xing'er, Zao'er..."

The two girls had slipped out of Wujiao's hands and taken a few steps back. Xing'er shook her head and said, "Thank you, sir! We have nowhere to go..."

Wujiao said urgently, "Poor girls, if you don't escape now, your lives will be ruined..."

Xing'er was unmoved, hugging Zao'er and pleading with a frightened look, "Even if we become servants, it's better than the hard life at home. Sir, don't meddle, or you might get innocent people involved..."

Wujiao looked at the two helpless girls and was taken aback. He sighed and muttered to himself, "Fine, I'll leave it at that..."

Several figures ran over, all holding torches and shouting. Wang Gui, in particular, was holding a wooden stick, wiping the blood from his nose and cursing furiously.

Wujiao no longer cared about the fate of the two children but couldn't help feeling unlucky.

If I get caught, I'll be beaten to death for sure. Well, since I'm a thief now, I might as well go all out!

Wujiao didn't run away immediately but rushed back into the storeroom, picked up several clay oil jars from the corner, and threw them down, then grabbed the oil lamp and tossed it. Flames immediately shot up. He took the opportunity to jump out of the room and ran.

Wang Gui rushed forward, about to swing his stick, but saw the storeroom on fire and hesitated.

Wujiao saw his chance and kicked him in the groin. Wang Gui, caught off guard, screamed and fell to the ground, startling the approaching servants. Wujiao broke through the encirclement and ran toward the gate again, but someone blocked his way. It was Liao Cai, the steward, with a blackened face, shouting in disbelief, "Mr. Wu, you dare to set fire and commit violence..."

Set fire and commit violence? You forced me into prostitution and slavery, and I wouldn't be satisfied even if I tore down your Ruyi Pavilion!

Wujiao pulled a short sword from his bag and, without a word, swung it. With a crisp "snap," the sword hilt struck Liao Cai's black face. Liao Cai's neck jerked, blood spurted from his mouth, and two teeth flew out. He screamed and stumbled back. The gate guards were so shocked they didn't dare to stop him. Wujiao took the opportunity to dash out of the courtyard, but hesitated, looking around.

To the left was the direction he had come from, and to the right was the Yishui River. He couldn't go back the same way, so he decided to cross the river by boat.

Wujiao quickly ran down the street.

At that moment, the storeroom was engulfed in thick smoke and flames, but fortunately, it was a separate building, so the fire didn't spread. However, the entire Ruyi Pavilion was in chaos, with people running, shouting, and even trying to jump from the building. The scene was chaotic and disordered.

A woman in a half-covered dress stood at the second-floor railing, staring in shock, while a servant reported the situation. Upon learning the details, she was furious, turned back into the room, and grabbed a document, shouting, "I have the indenture in my hands, I won't let him escape..." As she shouted, she seemed to notice something and bent down to examine it by candlelight, then slammed the table and cursed, "Men are all scoundrels! Send people to catch him, I won't let him off..."

The signature on the document was scribbled: "No such person."

The street in Tieniu Town was not long, about two li. After leaving Ruyi Pavilion and turning a corner, he reached the Yishui River. The river, about a hundred feet wide, flowed gently from north to south, its surface shimmering under the pale moonlight.

Wujiao ran to the riverbank and stopped.

It was probably past the hour of Dog, and the night was deep. A few small boats were moored in the dark, seemingly asleep. Clearly, there was no one to row a boat at this hour. He couldn't cross the river this way.

"Grab the thief..."

With the shouts, a group of people emerged from the street, all carrying torches and weapons.

The people from Ruyi Pavilion were chasing him! A wise man doesn't fight a losing battle, so he kept running!

Wujiao didn't dare to stay and continued running along the riverbank. It seemed he could only hide in the mountains. After running a short distance, he couldn't resist turning back.

At that moment, a small boat lit a lantern and slowly moved away from the shore.

Someone was setting out at night?

It's like a pillow for a sleepy head, the heavens won't let a man down!

Wujiao tucked the short sword into his bag, ran to the shore, and called out, "Boatman, wait, take me with you..."

The small boat didn't stop and continued to drift into the river. The lantern on the bow swayed, shining brightly in the night.

Wujiao ran too fast and, unable to stop, stepped into the river, splashing water everywhere.

"The thief is here, catch him..."

The shouts grew louder, and the torches illuminated the riverbank.

Wujiao, in the water, was in a panic. Seeing the boat not far away, he decided to swim. The water soon reached his waist, and he lunged forward, using his hands and feet to swim. He managed to get closer to the boat and, with great effort, grabbed the side, threw his bag on board, and climbed onto the deck.

The servants from Ruyi Pavilion refused to give up and waded into the river to chase him. The boat, however, moved further away, and the water grew deeper. They couldn't catch up and shouted in frustration.

Wujiao, still on his hands and knees on the deck, was panting and disheveled but smiling, feeling lucky. The pursuers were too late, and tonight he had turned a crisis into safety!

At that moment, someone on the boat laughed, "Hehe! Should I call you a servant or an accounting scholar..."

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PS: My child is going to school out of town in a few days, so I'm a bit busy and not in the right state of mind. I need to adjust. "Tianxing Ji" is also on the new book list. Thank you all for your support, let's work together! Mobile users, please visit http://m.piaotia.net

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