Chapter 543: 若君

"Are you alright, Father?" his children asked, rushing over to examine him as he emerged from the City Lord's Manor.

Dong Wenshu glanced at the maid in the shop, shook his head, and said, "It's nothing, let's go home."

The family, having just gone through a frightening ordeal, descended the mountain.

Upon returning to the bookstore entrance, they were again surrounded by their neighbors, all chattering and asking what had happened.

The Dong family didn't want to elaborate on certain matters, simply saying everything was fine and that it was a misunderstanding. However, the neighbors still made various conjectures about the injuries on Dong Wenshu's body.

At this point, the benefits of their good character became apparent; no one believed the Dong family was capable of anything bad.

As soon as the family entered their home, they immediately closed the door. Dong Wenshu, after changing his clothes, promptly gathered everyone to explain why they had been arrested: they had been implicated by Wang Ping.

His children, who had never experienced an interrogation, were very surprised. Could Wang Ping, who seemed so harmless and without desire, possibly be a bad person? In their normal, uninformed understanding, such trouble only befell bad people or those who had committed bad deeds.

Next, Dong Wenshu took out a money pouch and pushed it towards the maid. "Xianglan," he said, "our family doesn't want to go through something like this again, and we don't want to implicate you. This is two months' wages; you should look for another position."

It was also an excuse. The old man in black wanted to arrange for his distant relative to come, and Dong Wenshu couldn't refuse, either emotionally or logically. It was a lesson learned the hard way; the bookstore had faced life-threatening upheavals one after another, and the life-saving jade token had been used up. Having a powerful figure's relative here might not be a bad thing. He was, in a way, forced to face reality. The bookstore simply couldn't afford to employ two general helpers, so one had to be let go.

The Dong children were all perplexed and tried to speak a few words in the woman's favor, but Dong Wenshu's attitude was firm. With the Dong family's principles at stake, his children had no recourse. After pleading fruitlessly, the woman wiped away her tears, gathered her belongings, and left.

Only after the woman had left did Dong Wenshu reveal the perilous process by which they had escaped danger. He explained that the favor the Demon Queen owed the Dong ancestors had been used up, and the old man in black had saved their family's lives. Given the circumstances, their family could not reasonably refuse his request. Only then did the Dong siblings understand their father's well-intentioned decision and realize that their family had narrowly escaped death.

"What exactly did Wang Ping do that even a major sect like the Fiery Blaze Sect would target him?" Dong Liangze, with youthful bewilderment, asked, "How could someone with such a reputation end up doing odd jobs in our bookstore?"

The family was still reeling from the shock when there was another knock at the door. Dong Liangze went to answer it and returned with several city guards, instantly making the family tense again.

To their surprise, the visitors had come to express apologies on behalf of the city guards. Placing down a box, one said, "Mr. Dong, this incident was a misunderstanding. I'm here to apologize on behalf of the city guard. Inside is ten thousand Sandalwood Gold, for your medical expenses and to calm everyone's nerves." His tone was exceedingly polite, bowing and nodding.

Although the news of the Demon Queen's intervention was suppressed by higher authorities, he had been informed before coming that the Dong family had a powerful backer who had acted, and they could not be offended, so he was instructed to be utterly respectful.

Dong Wenshu, despite his integrity, did not refuse the money, believing that the city guards had acted recklessly and without basis, and thus genuinely owed an apology and compensation. The only thing that made Dong Wenshu hesitate was whether ten thousand gold was perhaps too much compensation at once. He surmised it was given out of deference to the Demon Queen. Although he hadn't yet seen what the old man in black's relative looked like, he was already considering giving the relative extra wages.

After seeing the visitors out, Dong Liangze eagerly opened the box. It was filled to the brim with glittering Sandalwood Gold, a dazzling sight. The siblings exchanged glances, having never seen so much cash before them in their lives, especially not belonging to their own family. Dong Liangze couldn't resist reaching in to grab a handful, listening to the rustling sound as the coins fell through his fingers.

His third sister, Dong Liangying, patted his arm. "Stop playing," she said. "Father earned this with his injuries."

Dong Wenshu mused, "The customers who came to the bookstore today had their visits disrupted by all this trouble. Make a list of those who paid, and we'll refund their money tomorrow."

This was Dong Liangying's responsibility, and she immediately replied, "Yes, I understand."

Just then, a knock came from the side gate outside the courtyard. It was unclear who it was, as they hadn't used the main entrance. Usually, only familiar neighbors knew that when the bookstore wasn't open, it was troublesome for those in the inner courtyard to go to the front to open the main door, so they would typically knock at the side gate.

Naturally, it was the fourth child, Dong Liangze, who handled appearances. He swiftly ran to open the door, expecting to see a neighbor. Instead, he found a strikingly beautiful woman in a vibrant red dress standing gracefully at the side entrance. The large red flower in her hair was particularly eye-catching, and her neck was fair-skinned. Even as a young man, his heart was stirred by this unexpected allure. The woman in red gave him a slight nod, her expression a faint smile.

Dong Liangze was momentarily stunned. This was no neighbor; he couldn't possibly have no impression of such a striking local resident. He then tentatively asked, "Whom are you looking for?"

The woman in red replied, "My distant cousin asked me to come. He told me to do odd jobs in the bookstore and gain some cultural enrichment from reading. He said he'd already spoken with the proprietor."

"Oh!" Dong Liangze immediately understood who she was—the relative of that important figure his father had just mentioned. He quickly assented, ushering her inside. As soon as the door closed, he quickly ran ahead, whispering to Dong Wenshu and the others. Her arrival so quickly was quite unexpected for the family.

The woman in red approached the family, who seemed somewhat ill at ease, and surveyed each of them. The situation made it seem as if she were the hostess, while the flustered family members were the ones applying for a job.

"You must be the proprietor?" the woman in red asked, fixing her gaze on Dong Wenshu, then introduced herself. "Just call me Ruo Jun. Please take care of me in the future."

Dong Wenshu politely exchanged a few words, somewhat surprised that the old man in black's distant relative was such an unusually charming woman.

Then, Dong Liangyi led the woman in red to choose a room. The Dong family's courtyard was not small, with plenty of rooms, most of them empty, allowing for free selection.

In the evening, Dong Liangyi went into the kitchen to busy herself, and at some point, the woman in red also slipped in. It was hard to tell if she was helping to cook; she would occasionally make a light, casual movement. For example, while Dong Liangyi was washing vegetables in a basin, she suddenly picked up a ladle and poured a long stream of water into the basin.

She genuinely enjoyed adding firewood and stoking the fire in the stove. Sitting in front of the hearth, bathed in the red glow of the flames, she emitted a scent of alcohol. Dong Liangyi turned her head and noticed that the woman now held a small, exquisite wine jar, slightly smaller than her palm. With one foot propped on a wooden stool, she tilted her fair neck back, drinking deeply from the jar's mouth, illuminated by the fiery glow.

It was a truly beautiful scene, a kind of uninhibited charm amidst worldly life, captivating Dong Liangyi completely. Then, a burnt smell wafted from the pot, instantly throwing her into a flurry. Under the firelight, the woman in red, with glistening droplets on her lips and cheeks puffed with wine, turned her head. Realizing she had been too focused on stoking the fire and not the heat, and that the fire was too strong, she hooked a finger, and most of the firewood in the hearth immediately pulled back from the opening. The wine in her mouth then gurgled down her throat.

Seeing Dong Liangyi look over, the woman in red held out the wine jar with one hand, offering her a drink. Dong Liangyi quickly shook her head repeatedly, then returned to her work. Someone had told her that her cooking was unappetizing, so she needed to focus more. However, the wine did smell truly fragrant.

Just then, the main gate of the bookstore was knocked on again.

A man and a woman stood before the bookstore's main gate. The visitors were none other than the Divine Maiden Feng Qingping and Qiu Ben, the Hall Master of the Fiery Blaze Sect's Martial Hall. Neither of them put on airs; they brought no attendants, appearing like two unremarkable commoners visiting.

On the Demon Queen's side, after the Sect Master of the Fiery Blaze Sect and the Phoenix Clan Leader personally went to visit and each presented a grand gift, the matter was considered settled. Of course, since the incident originated with the Fiery Blaze Sect, the Phoenix Clan's grand gift was also paid for by the Fiery Blaze Sect. Big problems had been minimized, and small problems would naturally disappear. The incident arose from offending the proprietor of the Chaoyue Pavilion, causing them suffering. Knowing that the Demon Queen was their backer, they naturally had to come and offer apologies and compensation. This was also the intention of the Fiery Blaze Sect Master and the Phoenix Clan Leader.

Dong Liangze, who opened the door, didn't recognize them. After the two announced their identities, he was genuinely startled, almost thinking they were con artists.

Ultimately, the host and guests met, and a polite exchange was inevitable. Dong Wenshu was not foolish; he naturally knew they were there out of respect for the Demon Queen. The woman in red watched the commotion nearby. Feng Qingping and Qiu Ben's gazes would occasionally fall upon the woman in red, who sat on the balustrade of a small bridge, one leg dangling, occasionally taking a sip from a small wine jar. Before coming, they had thoroughly investigated the bookstore's staff composition and had not heard of this person. During their conversation, they couldn't help but try to inquire about her. Dong Wenshu had promised to keep the old man in black's secret, simply stating she was newly hired as a general helper. "I see," Feng Qingping and Qiu Ben said, asking no further questions. Whether they would investigate her later was a matter for the future.

After a series of verbal apologies, Feng Qingping's gaze fell upon Dong Liangyu, who stood nearby. Suddenly, she said, "I hear that your esteemed second daughter, Dong Liangyu, has been frail since childhood and is not suited for cultivation. If she wishes to embark on the path of cultivation, my Phoenix Clan possesses marvelous elixirs that can cleanse the marrow and refine the meridians, thus altering one's constitution. I wonder if Miss Liangyu would be willing to join my Phoenix Clan for cultivation?"

At these words, setting aside everyone else, Dong Liangyu herself was immediately stirred. Having been burdened by her frail body for many years, how could she not yearn for health and vigor? Of course, the family knew that such elixirs were incredibly valuable; if ordinary people could obtain them, Dong Liangyu wouldn't have been delayed until now.

Qiu Ben also glanced at the other Dong children and spoke at an opportune moment. "Although my Fiery Blaze Sect is a demonic cultivation sect, it does not lack human cultivators. It's no exaggeration to say we have masters in the cultivation world, and we have no shortage of human cultivation methods. If Mr. Dong is willing, you might consider letting your children join my Fiery Blaze Sect for cultivation. Our sect will certainly not stint on cultivation resources and support, and with guidance from renowned teachers, their future will undoubtedly be extraordinary."

This was another invitation that thrilled the Dong siblings. They all knew that for ordinary people, joining such a major sect was a rare and highly sought-after opportunity, especially with strong backing. The chance to change their family's destiny had suddenly appeared before them. Even Dong Wenshu couldn't help but fall into deep thought and hesitation.

Feng Qingping and Qiu Ben exchanged glances, each knowing the other's thoughts: they both wanted to turn a bad situation into a good one, using the opportunity to deepen their relationship with the Demon Queen. Ordinary people joining their sects would not receive such extensive support. They believed this kind of temptation was irresistible to most.

The woman in red, sitting casually on the bridge railing, observed dispassionately, occasionally casting a watchful glance in their direction.

However, after deep consideration, Dong Wenshu shook his head and gently declined. "Divine Maiden and Hall Master, your kindness is greatly appreciated. I am currently overwhelmed and dare not accept rashly. Please allow me more time to consider." In truth, he felt his family had no real connection to the Demon Queen, and the ancestral favor had already been expended. Having read countless books and always adhering to his principles, he deeply understood the proverb that fortune and misfortune are intertwined. Human cultivators joining a demonic sect was already unconventional, and if their relationship with the Demon Queen ever soured, the more they gained now, the greater the backlash they might suffer later. He did not want to take this shortcut and harm his children.

Feng Qingping and Qiu Ben found it difficult to press him further, so they each left a Mother-Child Talisman, instructing him to contact them whenever he had made a decision. Dong Wenshu merely gave a perfunctory verbal acknowledgment.

As Feng Qingping and Qiu Ben left, they reiterated their apologies and each left a small box as a gift of compensation and apology. Dong Wenshu dared not accept them and repeatedly refused, but with his cultivation level, how could he possibly return them? The guests left, and the gift boxes remained in the manor.

Dong Liangze, ever eager, thought they were two more boxes of ten thousand gold. When he picked them up, he noticed the weight was off—they were very light. Opening them, he discovered stacks of bank notes. Counting them, he was shocked: each box contained ten million Sandalwood Gold!

Seeing the family in a bewildered state, surrounded by twenty million, unsure what to do or how to return the money, the woman in red, seated casually on the bridge railing, smiled faintly. She looked up at the evening clouds and slowly raised the wine jar to her lips, taking a long drink.