Jiao You San's words were concise and clear, and he watched me quietly.
I only felt that my chest became more stuffy and cluttered, and my heart suspended there felt like it was being tightly grasped by a hand.
"Okay, stop thinking so much."
"Mouying, find a coffin for her. Let her die with dignity and be properly buried. I'll arrange for her a grave with good feng shui," Jiao You San said, then turned to look at Mouying.
Mouying pursed her lips, her face tense, and she said nothing.
"Then, do you have any other way to save her?"
"Or are you not as capable as Old Qin?" I croaked.
Jiao You San's eyes suddenly lit up, and he smiled. "You know how to use flattery? But flattery doesn't work on me. Rescuing her would be too troublesome, with too many uncertain factors. She might even retaliate and harm you, so I won't do something that's not worth the effort."
"How can you save her?" I started to sweat in large drops on my forehead.
"So you're saying that I have to take care of this matter myself?" Jiao You San straightened up four fingers, then one more finger.
"That's quite simple. I, Jiao You San, am a businessman. Today, I helped you because I expect you to help me in the future. Either sell me or sell Ging Wei Zi to me. There are four things you need to do for me: saving these eight defeated widows is just a minor task. You still have three things left to do, and there are many things you can achieve." Jiao You San showed an even more fervent gaze.
My face immediately turned an extremely unpleasant shade.
Suddenly, I felt a sense of distance from Jiao You San, as if he were very far away.
Much further than I imagined...
It's as if, no matter how much we try, we can't generate any affection between us, just as he said - he is a businessman.
I help him, and he helps me. The interests come first, and there can be no talk of business without profit.
I cannot sell myself, nor can I sell Old Qin. However, I cannot get into a conflict with Jiao You San either. I cannot bear to see Yu Xiu Cheng as a ghost...
The fist, subconsciously, tightened its grip.
"Indecisiveness is not a good thing." Jiao You San shook his head.
"If blood becomes cold, will it be a good thing?" I closed my eyes and asked.
"I don't care about so many things, and I also don't want to argue with you much. I've prepared upstairs for you. Your yang spirit should have returned, and you need to extract the yin life force. After that, you still have a lot to do." With that, Jiao You San went straight upstairs.
The thumping footsteps grew fainter as they entered the corridor, and with the sound of the door opening, they vanished completely.
"You go up the stairs." Mouying walked behind me, biting her lip, and whispered.
I didn't move.
"We can't act on impulse at this critical moment..." Mouying lowered her voice, speaking only to me, "Although some things are a bit ruthless, as Jiao You San has said, we all understand the logic in it. This is also part of Mr. Qin's plan..."
"And, Jiao You San is a very deep thinker. The weak facade he showed earlier on his face was probably an illusion, one meant to fool Han Zha Zi. Now, he has returned to normal."
My expression changed, and I turned to look at Mouying. For a moment, I felt even more uncomfortable inside.
In the next instant, Mouying whispered, "I believe that Youyang Ju has a way. I'll take Mouying there now; they might help because of your sake, even if not immediately, they can at least keep Xiu Xiu's condition stable."
The uncomfortable feeling was just barely suppressed.
At least, it's good that I didn't overthink it.
"Old Gong hasn't woken up yet. If he could wake up, he might have a way..."
"Youyang Ju is like trying to skin a tiger..."
I'm not desperate to seek medical help, but rather analyzing with Mouying.
I originally planned to leave Jin Yang after the fortification of my fate.
Now that the plague ghost is causing a commotion, I should leave here even more.
If I were to seek help from Youyang Ju for Yu Xiu, things would change, and there might be even more trouble.
"I'll ask Miao Sanqi again and see how long his charms can hold. I can also ask him for help."
My eyes turned resolute.
Mouying slightly bit her lower lip and met my gaze for a few seconds before nodding.
I went straight up the stairs.
When I reached the second-floor room, I could see the layout inside at a glance.
The floor was covered with copper coins arranged in a very complex pattern.
Jiao You San stood at the balcony, his hands behind his back, exuding an air of a sage.
Beside him, there was a chair, and on the chair were two thick books.
"People need to understand, once they understand, they will feel comfortable. It's not about parents' old age and death, or about a wife and children being separated. It's just a pawn."
Jiao You San said smilingly.
My heart was stabbed again.
"How long can that charm keep Xiu Xiu stable?" I asked hoarsely.
"Seven days will be fine," Jiao You San replied.
"Can you give me a few more charms?" I asked again.
"I only have one charm with me, and it's a life-extending charm. I wouldn't even give it to Han Zha Zi. Instead, I used another method to extend his life. I hope he will know moderation after seeing my earlier appearance today. Otherwise, I won't be able to wait a year before going to collect the body," Miao You San said.
His words not only explained to me what happened earlier, but also hinted at it, coinciding with Mouying's deduction.
I closed my eyes and then opened them again, my tone becoming abject.
"Then, I beg you, please save Yushuo. I can also promise you something, even several things."
Jiao You San shook his head and said, "It's not worth it."
"Why do you have to be so humble and sell yourself to me? That would solve it, wouldn't it?"
"If you can't part with yourself, then you should let go of your master. You're not willing to give up either, so why do you only make it difficult for me? Isn't that both wanting and demanding?"
Jiao You San's words left no room for negotiation.
My face changed again, and I didn't speak.
"I don't have much time, and neither do you. We can't stay here for too long. After all, that Yin-Yang Master was taken aback, and he's not someone to be trifled with," Miao You San urged me.
I didn't say anything else and walked into the array made of copper coins.
"Give me the items," Miao You San said again.
I took out the turtle shell and threw it to Miao You San.
"Also," Miao You San pointed to my waistband.
Without hesitation, I took it off and threw it to Miao You San again.
He has no interest in Old Gong.
Miao You San's character is trustworthy.
The urinal was set aside by Miao You San. He then said, "You have a soul in your body, yet you're surrounded by ghosts. Alright, take off your clothes."
I: "..."
Indeed, a soul was still in my body.
The white-hearted ghost old woman that was summoned, Xie Ni, and Mouying's elder sister, Hua Ying...
I took out all my things and gave them to Miao You San, and only then did he not make me undress further. Instead, he made me sit cross-legged in the center of the coins, and instructed me that I might feel some pain later on, but I had to hold on. I had to keep my soul from leaving my body. If I couldn't do it, I would die.
The word "die" was said by Miao You San in a light, dismissive manner.
