Chapter 786 - 789: The Decline of the Aristocratic Family

"What do you mean ’perform but don’t sell your body’?" Ling Tian was stunned. When he finally came to his senses, he was dumbfounded. "What sort of indecent thoughts are you having?" he said hurriedly. "I want to help you with your Cultivation on the Martial Path, nothing more."

"You... you don’t want any reward?"

"Reward?" Ling Tian’s eyes widened. "Don’t worry, I don’t want any revenge from you."

How could there be such a good thing in this world?

Peony was completely shaken, finding it hard to believe such a thing could happen. As the top courtesan of the Brothel, she believed she had seen through the ways of the world. Most people were all the same. If you wanted something from someone, you first had to give something of your own.

As the headliner, Peony had a lot of private savings. She had amassed over thirty million Gold Coins, a chest of jewels, and another of Jadeite. But to get these, she had given up so much, always forcing a smile for others, dancing, singing... She had toiled tirelessly to accumulate such wealth, and yet, it still wasn’t enough.

She wanted to buy her freedom, but it was incredibly difficult.

Years ago, the madam had seen her potential at a glance and drawn up a contract unlike any other. In its terms, the price for her freedom was her average daily income multiplied by one hundred years. She could never afford such a price.

Still, she hadn’t given up hope.

If Lv Baicha could place first in the imperial examinations and become a high-ranking official, he could use his authority to pressure the madam and forcibly buy her freedom. She had it all planned out. This time, she would bribe the examiners without Lv Baicha’s knowledge. No matter what, Lv Baicha had to succeed.

Everything in this world was an exchange of equal value. This was Peony’s firm belief.

But Great General Ling Tian said he wanted nothing in return? Had she misheard him?

After saying a few more words, Ling Tian arranged for someone to personally escort Peony, now holding the Fire Talisman and Golden Core, out of the residence.

On her way back, Peony was in a daze. Could it be true that she didn’t have to give anything to receive the Fire Talisman and Golden Core? Halfway there, she thought of someone. Telling the guards to return first, she went off to find a certain person.

「The Lv Family」

The Lv family had once been a renowned household in the royal capital. However, as generations passed without a single member becoming an official, the family had fallen into complete decline. The Lv residence was a large mansion that used to have maids and servants, but now, there was no money to spare. Lv Baicha didn’t even have an Attendant Student, and only three people lived in the vast home: Lv Baicha himself and his parents, Lv Jieshi and Lady Lv.

In the open courtyard of the mansion, Lv Baicha was reading aloud from a book. This was his daily habit, to study whenever he had a spare moment. Occasionally, he would recite from memory while his parents, Lv Jieshi and Lady Lv, sat nearby, supervising him.

Looking at Lv Baicha, the couple was both proud and anxious. From a young age, Lv Baicha had shown talent far beyond his peers. According to his father, Lv Jieshi, with Lv Baicha’s abilities, he should have become the top scholar long ago. Yet, for some unknown reason, he had failed the examination twenty-one times. This left the elder Lv Jieshi at a loss, wondering why this kept happening.

"Baicha, Baicha..." Just then, Peony arrived, looking for Lv Baicha.

Generally, parents would not be pleased to see a brothel courtesan visiting their son at home. But Lv Jieshi and his wife warmly welcomed Peony. This was because Peony’s family had once been their neighbors. After her parents died, leaving her with their debts, she had no choice but to become a courtesan in the Brothel. The Lv family had wanted to help, but they were penniless and powerless to do so.

"Peony, why have you come?" Lv Baicha stopped reciting from his book and walked over with a smile.

"Baicha, I came because I have something to tell you."

"What is it?" Lv Baicha asked curiously.

"Great General Ling Tian came to see me today."

"What?" At these words, Lv Baicha’s eyes widened, and a sense of unease crept into his heart. To him, Great General Ling Tian was already working for the Ancestor of Blood Refinement. Would he ask for Peony on the Ancestor’s behalf? In Lv Baicha’s view, it was highly likely.

"Don’t worry. He didn’t ask me to do anything. In fact, he gave me a Fire Talisman and a Golden Core." She held out her fair hand, revealing a dazzling Fire Talisman and a lustrous Golden Core. Even an ignorant person could tell at a glance that these were treasures.

"What are these for?" Lv Baicha shook his head. "The Martial Path is nothing but a savage struggle for power."

Peony was taken aback. She had come precisely to see if these treasures might entice Lv Baicha to begin Cultivation. Although she never said it aloud, she felt that Lv Baicha was not fated for a career in officialdom. Otherwise, with his profound knowledge, how could he have failed the examinations twenty-one times? After all, the names on the golden roll from those twenty-one exams all belonged to men whom Lv Baicha had once academically bested.

"Baicha, won’t you give the Martial Path a try?"

After exchanging a look with his wife, Lv Jieshi also stepped forward. He personally disliked the Martial Path, but it now seemed that since his son wasn’t suited for officialdom, perhaps he should take this road instead. As a father, though he detested the Martial Path, he would of course support it if it could help his son’s future.

"No, I have no interest in the Martial Path," Lv Baicha said firmly. "You don’t know what happened today. I went with Great General Ling Tian to meet the Ancestor of Blood Refinement, and he actually..."

Lv Baicha recounted the entire day’s events.

"What? That’s what happened? You offended the Ancestor of Blood Refinement?"

At this, not only was Peony shocked, but Lv Jieshi was also stunned. "We must go see the Ancestor of Blood Refinement at once!" he urged quickly. "You have to apologize to him!"

"What?" It took Lv Baicha a moment to process what his father was saying.

"How could I possibly do that?" Lv Baicha was reluctant to apologize, but his father barked, "If you still consider me your father, you will come with us! That man created the Art of Blood Refinement, a feat no one else could accomplish. He must be a highly respected elder! I think he intends to nurture you; otherwise, he wouldn’t have sent Ling Tian to find Peony. You must be respectful. Let Peony and I do the talking."

Lv Baicha was exasperated. Does he think I’m a seven-year-old child? His father was making him sound completely immature, and he was left utterly speechless.

Meanwhile, news of Ling Tian becoming a disciple of the Ancestor of Blood Refinement had already begun to spread throughout the capital. From there, it surged forth like an unstoppable tide, sweeping across the Three Realms.

"Have you heard? The number one Great General of the Three Realms, Ling Tian, the man who once led General Yuwen Nuo into battle, has taken a master!"

"How is that possible? I heard he took the Ancestor of Blood Refinement as his master, the one who created the Art of Blood Refinement! Is this really true? It’s not just a rumor?"

"The Art of Blood Refinement can trigger Bloodline Evolution and Reversion! Without legendary physiques like the Great Spirit or Great King, perhaps the Art of Blood Refinement can allow mortals to catch up to those with such incredible gifts."

"Indeed."

Such fervent discussions erupted in countless families, on street corners, in teahouses, and in taverns. The existence of the Art of Blood Refinement was no longer a secret; it was now known to all.