Chapter 377 - 377: Temporary Separation

Radiant Sun's Fragrant Purity House Lobby.

Bubai slotted in the jade key slip. The side chamber door sighed open, revealing a private changing room.

Waiting on a stone bench inside was his redhead secretary who glared over with arms folded like a gatekeeper at the threshold of throwing a tantrum.

"Tch. And here I thought you'll never come out."

Bubai raised his hands in surrender. "Hey, you can't blame me. That rich brother of mine didn't want to leave. What can I do? I couldn't just abandon him. That would be impolite, oh."

Miss Hong's eyes darted past him and landed on the new consort trailing behind him like a harmless, docile bunny.

But her obvious limping made Miss Hong sneer. "Tch. Men!"

Oh, the excuse was seen through. Haha.

But Bubai didn't even blush. He simply made his way over to the side shelf where his neatly folded robes waited and changed the topic. "So, nothing happened while I was gone? No thieves, I hope?"

"Thieves? Hah!" Miss Hong scorned the thought. "Whoever does is seeking death! Do you think this place has no reputation to uphold?"

Bubai shrugged. "You never know. If there's enough interests involved, even key keepers can sell their own nests. Better to be safe than sorry."

Miss Hong turned her face away and scoffed. "Tch! Nobody here's dumb enough to touch what's yours."

Bubai smiled. Yes, he was sure nobody was that stupid.

Then again, what harm was there in casting out a little bait to tease and test?

After all, putting her in charge of guarding a locked storage bag was different from leaving her with an open pouch full of spirit stones unattended.

Never underestimate the greed in human hearts.

There will always be those who make stupid choices.

Lucky for him, not a single stone went "missing".

Of course, Bubai expected this much.

Their interests aligned and she won't break up with him over a little greed.

As a former servant of an elder, she at least had that much integrity. Or he wouldn't have let her be his shop front.

This open display of his wealth was just his way of dangling a carrot on a stick. Nothing more, nothing less.

Of course, showing off his wealth to attract gold diggers was just a side mission.

What he said earlier was the truth.

It really didn't sit well with him to leave so much spirit stones out here unguarded! Even if this private room was locked.

There are always loopholes in security. Best to have an extra pair of eyes.

Since he had people at his disposal, then he'd put them to good use. Just like now...

Getting dressed didn't take long, especially since there's somebody helping.

This time, it wasn't his sharp-tongued redhead secretary at work, but the new maid Reiko trying to curry favor.

Quiet but efficient. No words, zero reluctance.

It was like she accepted her place and really started to treat him as her "husband".

Or at least, wanted him to think so.

Yes, he did well in taming her earlier, but who knows if this was all an act?

But whether it be fake obedience or a willing performance, the days to come are long.

Conquering women and turning them into his shape was always something Bubai enjoyed doing.

Soon, the trio returned to the lobby.

Bubai led the way to the front desk and returned the jade key slip to the staff lady.

Not long later, Qian Bage swaggered out from another side room with a scantily-dressed service staff gluing herself to his arm.

The shorty laughed obscenely and teased her all the way till he rejoined them.

"Ouuuu! Brother Bai is really quick! With two flowers helping you out, I thought you'll take a while to figure out which belt to untie first! Ouhahaha!"

Seriously? Bubai's lips twitched.

Merlin above, how can he still want to mess around in the changing room?

After that three-hour-plus adult-grade acrobatics, he already entered sage mode!

If he really wanted to cultivate more, he'll have to tap into his hidden dantian's reserves and recharge using his essence dew.

But he wanted to save that resource when possible since it'll be his "emergency revival pill" in the days to come.

Alas... without that immortal supplement, his stamina was… well, mortal.

Of course, no way in hell was he gonna admit his "weakness".

A man can say anything except that he can't!

"Ahem." Bubai coolly adjusted his robe like a serious businessman. "It's getting late. I still have a few important matters to handle and didn't want to delay too much."

"Ou, ou, I see, I see. I understand, totally understand!"

Right now, that nodding bobblehead had a face that Bubai so wanted to punch for some reason.

Oh, he wanted to slap that face and tell this jerk he wasn't lying. That he meant serious business!

But he knew whatever he said now would fall on deaf ears.

The only choice left was to shut up and walk off.

"Ouuuu! Brother Bai, wait up! Wait for me!"

Qian Bage scrambled to stuff his key slip into the hands of the overly-affectionate fox spirit then shoved her away to go chasing after his buddy...

Outside, the buddies regrouped under the dusky skies.

Qian Bage bounced over and slung an arm over his capture target's shoulder.

"Ouu~ Brother Bai, you look all refreshed! I bet you'll have no problem going for another round or two! I think those soul suckers from Bai Hua Lou should still be in our box. What say we…"

Bubai stopped him right there.

"Brother Ba, women will only affect the speed at which I draw my sword. I have decided to abstain and focus on important matters first."

"!!!" Qian Bage went stiff and stared back with a face practically screaming: Are you joking?! You ate my meat, drank my wine, and now you want to run?!

Bubai didn't mind doing just that, but he didn't mean to tear apart their relationship so soon.

So he patted a pouch lining his waist and cleared up the misunderstanding.

"You know I won a hefty sum today. I don't want to be carrying around so much. I hope Brother Ba understands."

"...Ou! Of course, of course, I get it." Qian Bage's mood bounced back, but he still hesitantly confirmed, "Then, brother means…"

Bubai assured him. "Don't worry, it won't take long. We can meet up at the arena front entrance in… how about two hours?"

Knowing the target he worked so hard to capture wasn't running away, Qian Bage breathed a sigh of relief inwardly.

"Ouu, then so be it…" He paused mid-thought, then snapped his fingers. "Ou, right!"

He rummaged through one of his many storage pouches and fished out a jade talisman.

"Brother Bai, here! Temporarily hold on to this sound transmission talisman. I'll notify you if anybody wants to court death! That way, you won't lose out, ou!"

Bubai pocketed the jade slip and cupped his fist to salute. "Haha, many thanks! I'll rely on my good brother then!"

"Ouu! You can count on me! Then, I'll see brother in two hours!"

The two men saluted one another, then parted ways.

Once the shorty was out of earshot, Bubai rolled his shoulders and relaxed. "Great... finally free."

After a stretching a bit, he glanced at the two women at his side.

One had her head bowed like she heard nothing.

The other was impatiently tapping her high heels and when their gazes met, she scoffed.

"Tch. Don't relax too early. You think it's over just because you scared off a few trash fish? Those real sharks still haven't shown their teeth!"

"Yeah, I know. I know... Even my little brother knows it'll only get harder and harder."

That dirty joke earned him a kick to the heels!

But the light sting only made Bubai want to laugh.

Still, to avoid provoking his feisty secretary any further, he got down to business.

"Okay, enough fooling around. I need you to do something for me."

Miss Hong gave him a skeptical once-over, finally scowling at the bold little brother. "Tsk, tsk... still haven't had enough? Men."

Bubai tilted her chin up to guide her eyes back up to meet his. "Hey, don't think so dirty of me. I'm being serious here."

"Tch." Miss Hong averted her eyes and her red lips blew aside her annoying red bangs. "If you need me to do it, just say it. No need to go around in circles."

"Haha…" Bubai smirked and let her go. "Alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore. I need you to make a trip to Twin Dragon Garden and buy me a few dishes."

Miss Hong went stiff, caught off-guard by the sudden topic change, but she quickly recovered.

"Tsk. tsk. You want those mortal food from there? Do you know how expensive they are?"

Thanks to freeloading off his money bag, yep. But that didn't change what he was going to do.

Bubai magnanimously counted out a few handfuls of spirit stones. "Is twenty-five spirit stones enough?"

"Tch. If you don't get the signature dishes."

"That's fine. I'm not picky today." Bubai handed her the small pouch of spirit stones. "Just get whatever this can cover. I'll be waiting back at the tower."

Miss Hong scoffed, snatched the pouch, then turned on her heels and strutted off.

Errand girl sent off. Bubai smiled and turned his gaze to the quiet, mature beauty trying to stay lowkey.

"Come, Reiko-chan, let's go. I'll bring you to meet your mistress."

Yes, an entire day flew by. It's time to return and report his safety. Only…

With how obedient this new consort was, there shouldn't be any Shura field… right?