“The prosperous life of many wives[1]—no wonder this fellow could get himself 13 concubines!” said Luo Qian in admiration.
Li Fei’er’s face flushed, and she spat fiercely at him, “Filthy man.”
Luo Qian replied with disdain, “You’ll be promised to a man sooner or later too!”
Li Fei’er was enraged, with a clacking sound of explosives, a ball of light condensed in her hand.
Luo Qian hurriedly scurried away. “Alright, I’ll stop. At the worst, you’ll remain unmarried forever!”
Li Fei’er was an innocent little loli; how could she be Luo Qian’s match in bickering? With this strong bombardment, neither hitting nor not hitting him was the way to go. Li Fei’er was aggrieved, with tears in her eyes; she stomped her feet, turned, and ran.
Luo Qian laughed. We shall use violence. Conquering you with violence? That’s called r*pe. We’re civilized people; a gentleman uses his tongue and not his fists!
Luo Qian looked around. In the Dark Jade Casino, the gamblers had pairs of bloodshot goggle eyes, staring fixedly at the poker cards, dice, and the like. It was as if nothing else was worthy of their concern in the Immortal Realm other than those little props. It seemed that gamblers all had the same look, no matter where it was.
Luo Qian shook his head and was about to walk out when someone held him from behind. “Brother Luo, slow down.”
Luo Qian turned back. “First Manager, it’s you?”
The big shopkeeper had changed his clothes. Dressed in a dark reddish-purple brocade robe with black wide official boots, and a mandarin hat on his head, he looked like a wealthy and round, rich man.
The First Manager laughed. “Brother Luo, you don’t want to try your hand?”
Luo Qian shook his head. “I don’t have good luck.” Would a lucky person ascend to become a Tribulation Immortal?
The First Manager reached toward an inconspicuous yellow bag on his waist and grabbed a large handful of jade coins. “Since you’re here, wouldn’t that be a lack of consideration on my part if you don’t try some games? Take these chips; come to me again if they aren’t enough.”
Luo Qian swept a glance at the sign hanging high above the counter inside the casino. Dark Jade Casino’s chips were divided into four grades—copper, silver, gold, and jade. One copper coin chip was equivalent to one piece of Standard Immortal Jade. One silver coin chip was equivalent to one piece of Inferior Immortal Jade, and so, one jade coin chip was equivalent to one piece of Superior Immortal Jade.
In this casual handful that Qi Ren held was tens of Superior Immortal Jade. Luo Qian was inwardly surprised, but Qi Ren thought that he found the amount to be insufficient. He reached in and pulled out another handful of jade coin chips from the bag on his waist again. Luo Qian was taken aback. “A Cosmic bag[2]!”
Qi Ren chuckled and stuffed close to 100 jade coins into Luo Qian’s hands and patted his shoulder. “Have fun!”
Luo Qian grabbed him and returned all the jade coins. “I am unworthy of First Manager Qi’s favor. If you have any orders, please feel free to speak. As for these jade coins, please take them back.” Luo Qian forcefully returned those jade coins to Qi Ren without allowing him to speak.
Qi Ren faltered for a moment before he nodded and said, “Alright! You are a man indeed! In that case, I would appear to be wishy-washy if I continue beating around the bush. Come with me; we’ll find another place to chat.”
Qi Ren’s status in the casino was exceptional. Wherever he passed, all the waiters, dealers, and menservants were extremely reverent, making way for him and bowing. Qi Ren ignored them and led Luo Qian into a small row of rooms at the side of the casino. Qi Ren instructed the dealer at the entrance, “Serve good tea.”
With this simple sentence, the dealer quickly nodded and went on his way.
Luo Qian followed him into the small room. An exquisite Nanmu[3] gambling table was placed in the middle with only four chairs around it. It seemed like this was the so-called ‘VIP’ private room. To think the casinos of the Immortal Realm had such advanced facilities too.
The two of them had just taken their seats when the dealer knocked on the door and entered with two menservants. They put down all the tea-things and knelt, preparing to perform a tea ceremony for them.
Qi Ren waved his hand impatiently. “Go out, go out. We’re brothers here today; no need for this showy stuff. Brew the tea, and we’ll serve ourselves.” The dealer brewed the tea, left with a kowtow, and closed the door for them.
Qi Ren lifted the teapot, picked two large teacups, and poured two cups of tea. “This is the Rosy Red Tea from the mountain of Tianxia Lake. Ever since the demon rampaged through Tianxia Lake, it hasn’t been easy to get this. Come, have a taste, brother.”
If Luo Qian was to sample tea, it would certainly be a disappointing scene of cooking a crane for meat and burning a stringed instrument for fuel. Fortunately, he had tasted some good tea previously; if he wasn’t able to taste the good of it, he would nod very tactfully and praise, “Good tea, good tea!” As for what exactly was good about it, he just wouldn’t say it.
The more he was forced to, the more he was unable to get any words out.
Qi Ren smiled, then put his teacup down and said, “Brother Luo, I heard that there’s some kind of drug in the Human Realm that can get a man excited. Is there such a thing?”
Initially, it did not occur to Luo Qian what he was referring to. “Stimulants?”
Qi Ren wore an awkward smile and explained further, “I’m saying it makes men excited.”
Luo Qian was enlightened. “Oh, s*x drugs! You’re right; such a thing does exist.” Luo Qian looked oddly at Qi Ren and indirectly flattered him. “Given First Manager’s greatness, do you still need such a thing?”
Qi Ren smiled embarrassedly. “Brother, if you also happen to have 13 concubines one day, you will understand why I need such drugs.”
Luo Qian thought for a moment. “First Manager, such drugs are available in the Immortal Realm too. Why are you…”
Qi Ren explained helplessly, “I’ve tried all the drugs in the Immortal Realm. But with such things, the effect is great when using it for the first time. However, subsequent uses of the drugs have gradually diminishing effects. After 1,000 years, the wonder drugs that can be found in the Immortal Realm no longer have any effect on me.”
That explains it. Luo Qian nodded inwardly. “No problem. Although such things are being strictly controlled in the Human Realm right now and isn’t that easy to get, Luo Qian will definitely bring it to you since it’s something that you want, even if it means defying death and danger.”
Qi Ren was very good at the game too; he clapped his hands and said, “Brother Luo, you are being too courteous here. A favor is a favor, and business is business. We’re all dealers; we’ve got to differentiate this properly. I asked you for help. Since you’re willing to help me, I’ll naturally remember this favor. I cannot treat you unfairly in terms of costs; otherwise, how would I feel at peace as the older brother?”
Luo Qian pretended to decline, but Qi Ren already went on to say, “Stop rejecting. Tell you what, five pieces of Superior Immortal Jade for every pill, how is that? This price seemed far from that of the sexy lingerie, but in reality, such drugs were consumables. With Qi Ren’s 13 concubines, he would probably need to use the drugs every day. Five pieces of Superior Immortal Jade a day—that would be 150 pieces a month. Moreover, drugs did not take up much space; the amount that he could smuggle with one trip to the Human Realm would be able to last Qi Ren for several months.
“Alright, since Brother Qi has decided so readily, it’s decided then.” Luo Qian agreed to the deal.
Qi Ren was delighted; he lifted his teacup and said, “Thank you, brother. Come, pleasant cooperation to us.” The two touched cups; Qi Ren smiled rather awkwardly and leaned towards Luo Qian’s ear, whispering, “But regarding this matter, there’s no need to let those irrelevant people know about it…”
Luo Qian nodded. “I understand. Don’t worry, brother. Luo Qian’s mouth is shut real tight.”
Men. Who doesn’t have some pride?
Luo Qian took a deposit of 200 pieces of Superior Immortal Jade from Qi Ren. Politely declining his kind intentions of ‘playing a few games’ once again, he returned to Fushan in a good mood.
However, once he entered, he was pushed out of the cave entrance by a soft force. “Eh…” Luo Qian found it odd and stepped in from another direction. The outcome was the same—a soft but powerful force pushed him out. Luo Qian shouted loudly, “Fei’er, what the hell are you doing?”
Li Fei’er stood in the cave with two hands on her slim waist. She looked angrily at Luo Qian and said, “Apologize! If not, don’t think of entering. Given your capabilities as a First-Order Immortal, you can keep dreaming about breaking my seal, even if you call Du Lengning here.”
Damn it, so what if I’m a First-Order Immortal? Attacking using another’s physiological defect again… This lass is a classic example of asking for a beating.
It wasn’t that Luo Qian had no way of entering. If he were to use Zhao Xihe’s Communication Jade Talisman, he would be in there within half a day. However, to call for a Heaven Roll expert over a squabble with a little loli… That would truly be making a mountain out of a molehill, right?
Luo Qian stood outside and decided to continue with his strategy. “Fei’er, what are you doing, always staying in my cave abode and refusing to leave? If other people were to see this and misunderstand, it wouldn’t be nice.”
Sure enough, Li Fei’er was taken in. “Misunderstand about what?”
“You are inside, and you locked me out. What scene do you think this is?”
Of course, Li Fei’er did not understand and continued asking, “What scene?”
Luo Qian said, “The young couple fought, and the wife chased the husband out. Don’t think it can’t be true. I often witness such situations in the Human Realm. The poor husband in only his underpants, standing naked outside the door, trembling from the cold. The wife locked the door from inside, simply refusing to let him in. If the neighbors were to pass by, they would certainly snigger and discuss in private: ‘Saw that? A hen-pecked one was chased out…'”
Li Fei’er was greatly embarrassed, and she said angrily, “Nonsense! Y-you, how could I be your, be your… ay forget it. I’m going to stop talking to you. Luo Qian, you big scoundrel!”
The little loli stood with arms akimbo and yelled with all she had at Luo Qian. As her body leaned forward, the lines of her chest became increasingly prominent. Luo Qian could not help but stare. Honey, this little lass really has the goods.
Li Fei’er removed the seal in a huff and dashed off to hide in the meeting room to sulk.
Luo Qian smiled slyly. “Hehe, who told you to look down on me? Since you attacked me, I’ll take advantage of you. We’re businessmen; this deal is no loss.”
Striding with measured steps, the victorious Luo Qian made a triumphant return to the General Manager’s office. There was already a pile of orders ready to be handled stacked on the table. Although Li Fei’er was obstinate, the little loli was still very passionate about her work. Every day, she would note what each of those clients needed down one by one, then hand them to Luo Qian.
[1] The first two characters of the idiom ‘Qi Ren Zhi Fu’ coincides with his name
[2] In legends, said to have a strange space within it that is big enough to store heaven and earth
[3] Wood