Immortality Begins by Taking Care of Master’s Wife – Chapter 74

Chapter 74: Accompanying the Lady but Losing the Soldier

“Giddy up!”
The dragon horse galloped, the wind whipping at their faces.

Zhao Shi Rong nestled tightly in Zhou Chen’s embrace, greedily inhaling the masculine scent from his chest and murmuring,
“A silver saddle adorns the white steed, swift as a shooting star.”

“Ten steps, one kill, a thousand miles, leaving no trace…”

Her ample bosom heaved, her heart pounding with excitement, a feeling she couldn’t quite describe.

She wished she could stay in his embrace forever.

Roaming the world on horseback.

Free and unfettered.

Zhou Chen leaned his head against Zhao Shi Rong’s fragrant shoulder, inhaling the sweet scent of her hair. After a half-day’s gallop of three hundred miles, they arrived at an inn.

“Young Master, shall we rest?”

Zhao Shi Rong’s cheeks were flushed. The entire journey felt less like riding a horse and more like becoming one, especially with Zhou Chen’s restless hands constantly squeezing her.

“Let’s rest here for the night and continue tomorrow.”

Zhou Chen glanced at the sky. The sun was setting, casting a crimson glow.

He had spent the morning indulging with Zhao Shi Rong, reluctant to get out of bed. They had only set off around noon, and after hours of travel, it was already afternoon.

“Honored guests, please come in!”

Seeing Zhou Chen and Zhao Shi Rong, the waiter eagerly greeted them and took the reins of Zhou Chen’s horse.

“Use the best fodder.”

Tossing the waiter a silver ingot, Zhou Chen instructed him to take good care of the horse.

“Don’t worry, sir, I’ll make sure it’s well looked after.”

The waiter handed the horse to a stablehand and led Zhou Chen and Zhao Shi Rong inside.

“Get us the best room and prepare hot water for a bath!”

“Right away!”

Zhou Chen and Zhao Shi Rong luxuriated in a large bathtub filled with hot water, reluctant to leave.

Suddenly, the sound of a pipa reached their ears.

A few plucks of the strings, a melody yet to form, but already brimming with emotion.

Each string suppressed, each note filled with longing, as if lamenting a life unfulfilled.

Head bowed, fingers gracefully dancing, pouring out an endless stream of emotions…

“I didn’t expect such a skilled pipa player in this inn.”

Zhou Chen, a frequent visitor of brothels and taverns, couldn’t play the pipa himself, but he had a keen ear for music.

After all, he had read the Three Hundred Tang Poems. Even if he couldn’t write poetry, he could appreciate it.

Moreover, although Celestial Fragrance Fairy excelled at the guqin, she was also proficient in the pipa. The person playing below was actually on par with Celestial Fragrance Fairy.

With a sweep of his divine sense, Zhou Chen saw a young woman with a white veil covering her face. Dressed in white, she stood gracefully, emanating an aura of purity and elegance, like a newly bloomed white lotus.

After their bath, Zhou Chen and Zhao Shi Rong dressed and went outside. The guests in the inn were captivated by the music.

Zhou Chen’s gaze lingered on the woman in white as he ate and listened to her play.

Fingers gently plucking, lightly pressing, sweeping, and lifting, first the melody of “Rainbow Skirt and Feather Jacket,” then “Six youngest.”

The thick strings roared like a sudden downpour, the thin strings whispered like secrets shared.

The sounds intertwined, like large and small pearls cascading onto a jade plate…

“Interesting!”

Zhou Chen discreetly used his Qi Observation Technique. Although the woman seemed to be using a powerful concealment technique, he could still discern something.

She was quite strong and practiced the Immortal Path.

The music ended, but the audience remained spellbound.

“Wonderful! Truly wonderful!”

A wealthy merchant with a protruding belly and a face full of affluence clapped and exclaimed,

“Lady Bai Lian’s skillful playing is truly a delight to the ears.”

“I wonder, Lady Bai Lian, have you considered my proposal from the other day?”
“Thank you for your kindness, Merchant Ximen, but I am but a humble willow, unworthy of your esteemed presence. Please forgive my refusal.”

The woman in white, Bai Lian, bowed gracefully with her pipa in her arms. Her voice was gentle, but her brow held a hint of unyielding determination.

“In Sanyang Town, no one has ever dared to refuse me. Lady Bai Lian, think carefully before you answer.”

Ximen Dongfeng’s face was covered in fat, his small eyes barely visible, but they gleamed with a snake-like coldness, his threat unmistakable.

Four muscular men behind him, clearly martial artists, stepped forward, their gazes fixed on Bai Lian, exerting immense pressure.

“Merchant Ximen is a magnanimous man. Please spare me, sir. I would be eternally grateful!”

Bai Lian’s face was filled with fear and anxiety, her teeth biting her red lips, but she remained unyielding.

“You’re asking for trouble. Seize her!”

Ximen Dongfeng waved his hand, licking his lips as he leered at Bai Lian, already eager to possess her.

Two burly men immediately stepped forward, reaching for Bai Lian.

Bai Lian hurled her pipa at them and ran towards Zhou Chen, crying out,

“Help!”

“Hahaha! Scream all you want! Let’s see who dares to save you!”

Ximen Dongfeng sneered. This was not a bustling city. Sanyang Town was his domain, and no one dared to offend him.

Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!

With a flick of his wrist, Zhou Chen sent four chopsticks flying. They pierced the necks of the two men grabbing Bai Lian and the two standing behind Ximen Dongfeng.

He looked at Ximen Dongfeng and smiled faintly.
“Merchant Ximen, let’s see if I dare.”

“You…”

Ximen Dongfeng was furious, but seeing Zhou Chen’s mocking gaze and the fate of his four men, he turned and fled.

A wise man knows when to retreat.

Thud!
A chopstick flew out, piercing the back of Ximen Dongfeng’s head.

“Waiter, throw their bodies out.”

Tossing the waiter another silver ingot, Zhou Chen remained calm.

“Yes, sir! Right away!”

The waiter jolted awake, terrified, and hurried to remove the bodies.

“I, Bai Lian, thank you, Young Master, for saving my life.”

Bai Lian approached Zhou Chen, still shaken. Her ample bosom heaved as she bowed deeply.

“It was nothing. Don’t mention it.”

“It may have been nothing for you, Young Master, but you saved my life.”

Bai Lian bowed again, the sight of her cleavage making Zhou Chen’s heart race. Was this a test? He couldn’t resist such a test.

“I have nothing to repay you with, Young Master. I have nowhere to go, and my only pipa is broken. Please, sir, take me in. I am willing to serve you as a slave to repay your great kindness.”

With that, Bai Lian knelt at Zhou Chen’s feet.

Seeing Bai Lian’s pure and pitiful appearance, and Zhou Chen’s obvious arousal, Zhao Shi Rong thoughtfully interjected, “Young Master, Lady Bai Lian has nowhere to go. If she wanders alone, she might encounter danger. Why don’t you be kind and take her in?”

“Since you’ve spoken, Shi Rong, how can I refuse?”

Zhou Chen smiled faintly and helped Bai Lian up, holding her soft hand.

“Thank you, Young Master! Thank you, Madam!”

Bai Lian was overjoyed, expressing her gratitude profusely.

“I am Zhao Shi Rong, just the Young Master’s maidservant.”

Zhao Shi Rong explained.

“What maidservant? My women are all equal.”

Zhou Chen pinched Zhao Shi Rong’s cheek playfully.

Bai Lian diligently assumed the role of a maidservant.

According to her story, she was the daughter of a wealthy family. During a journey, they were attacked by bandits. Her parents and relatives were all killed, and only she managed to escape under their protection.

She had wandered here, received a pipa from a kind stranger, and made a living by performing.

Night fell.

After a passionate encounter with Zhao Shi Rong, Zhou Chen was about to leave.

Zhao Shi Rong stopped him, reminding him, “Young Master, be careful. Bai Lian’s background is unclear. She might have ulterior motives.”

“If you knew her background was unclear, why did you suggest I take her in?”

Zhou Chen squeezed Zhao Shi Rong, puzzled. “Wasn’t that what you wanted, Young Master?”

Zhao Shi Rong smiled seductively. “I was just helping you save face, making it seem like you weren’t so eager.”

“How dare you call me eager! I’ll show you!”

“Ah, Young Master, spare me! I know I was wrong!”

After teasing Zhao Shi Rong, Zhou Chen left and went to the next room.

He knocked on the door.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me.”

“Young Master!”

Bai Lian quickly opened the door. She was wearing only a nightgown, her snow-white skin dazzling under the lamplight, emitting a faint fragrance.

“Aren’t you going to invite me in?”

Zhou Chen smiled faintly.

“Please come in, Young Master.”

Bai Lian quickly stepped aside.

Zhou Chen entered the room. The air was filled with Bai Lian’s alluring scent, making his heart race.

As Bai Lian closed the door, Zhou Chen pulled her into his embrace.

“Ah, Young Master…”

“Mmm…”

Before she could speak, Zhou Chen lowered his head and kissed her.

Without a word, Zhou Chen lifted Bai Lian into his arms.

He was certain this woman had approached him with a purpose.

Since Bai Lian had ulterior motives…

He wouldn’t hold back.

“Mmm…”

Bai Lian’s eyes widened. She knew Zhou Chen was lustful, but she hadn’t expected him to be so impatient.

“Perfect. The more lustful you are, the easier it will be to control you…”

Enduring the pain, Bai Lian attempted to cast a spell to charm Zhou Chen.

But Zhou Chen suddenly grabbed her wrist, his grip surprisingly strong, causing her pain and interrupting her spell.

Bai Lian wasn’t worried.

There was plenty of time.

But her plans were quickly foiled.

Soon…

Bai Lian felt numb all over.

She couldn’t find an opportunity to cast her spell, and her body felt completely drained.

The sun rose and set.

The stars shifted in the sky.

The next day…

Zhou Chen left Bai Lian’s room, feeling refreshed. He adjusted his belt and, after breakfast with Zhao Shi Rong, they rode away on horseback.

“Aren’t you taking Bai Lian with us, Young Master?”

Zhao Shi Rong asked curiously.

“She had ulterior motives. Sparing her life is already the greatest kindness I can offer!”

Zhou Chen smiled, his mood cheerful.

He had earned over ten thousand Romance Points from Bai Lian last night.

“Free stuff makes me happy.” he thought.

“You spent the entire night with her, Young Master.”

Zhao Shi Rong turned to Zhou Chen, a playful smile on her face. “Lady Bai Lian must be quite something, huh?”

“Indeed, she is.”

After a moment’s thought, Zhou Chen added,

“Very smooth.”

She was more than just smooth.

Like Celestial Fragrance Fairy, Bai Lian had a special physique. As her name suggested, she was like a lotus flower.

“Amazing!” he thought.

Zhou Chen felt incredibly satisfied as he embraced Zhao Shi Rong and urged the horse towards Azure Cloud Sect.

It was like riding someone else’s precious bicycle. He could ride it recklessly, stand up and pedal, even break it without a care. It wasn’t his, so he felt no heartache.

Free stuff makes me happy!

…

Meanwhile…

“I’m still alive…”

Bai Lian slowly woke up in the inn, her body aching as if every bone had been shattered. She looked around, but Zhou Chen was gone.

She checked the surroundings, but couldn’t sense Zhou Chen or Zhao Shi Rong’s presence. She extended her divine sense, confirming they were gone.

Her tearful, delicate face hardened with a cold fury. She noticed Zhou Chen had left her a gift.

Her eyes blazed with killing intent.

She picked up the gift. It was carved from mutton-fat jade and bore traces of her own aura.

“Bastard!”

With a surge of magical power in her palm, she crushed Zhou Chen’s gift into dust.

She knew Zhou Chen must have suspected her identity and then taken advantage of her.

“Zhou Chen, just you wait!”

Bai Lian seethed with hatred. She had lost her virginity, gained nothing, and been used.

What a loss! Especially since Zhou Chen clearly hadn’t treated her as someone special.

He treated her like a borrowed item, used and discarded without a second thought.

He had been utterly ruthless.

She had fainted from the ordeal.

“I won’t let you get away with this!”

Bai Lian felt like Zhou Chen was a walking jinx. Every encounter with him brought misfortune.

Last time, at Crouching Dragon Mountain in Qing He County, she had planned to kill County Magistrate Chen Fan. But Chen Fan hadn’t shown up, her plan had failed, and she had been scared away by Yi’s Archery.

Later, when news of Zhou Chen spread, she realized he had been the one who fired that arrow.

After failing to manipulate Chen Fan, she had changed her target and successfully become a candidate for Holy Maiden of the Great Qian White Lotus Branch.

But the competition for Holy Maiden was fierce.

So…

She had thought of Zhou Chen.

She wanted to control him and use him for her own purposes.

His lust and his mission outside the sect presented the perfect opportunity.

She had spent half a month preparing for his return, waiting for him to walk into her trap.

As she expected, Zhou Chen had arrived at the inn and played the hero, saving her. She had successfully infiltrated his circle.

But she hadn’t anticipated that he would somehow see through her, use her, and then run away.

“Zhou Chen! Just wait until I control you! I’ll make you lick my toes!!”

Bai Lian fumed, her anger burning.

She circulated her magical power to heal her injuries, destroying everything Zhou Chen had left behind.