“Willingly?!! How could that be possible?!” Ghostess had never thought that Poptop San would be the kind of man willing to commit suicide. She lowered her head, visibly troubled.
“Don’t worry! As long as Poptop San obediently opens his mouth and allows you to draw out his yang energy, everything will go smoothly. Moreover, Ghostess, you will gain unimaginable power. At that time, those minor demons from Ghost Forest will never again threaten you and your daughter!”
After a brief pause, Dragon Mother emphasized, “You already know what to do. Go now—this palace does not wish to see that wretched rogue live another day!”
A strange, fierce gleam flashed through Dragon Mother’s eyes, but consumed by hatred, she remained unmoved. Whether or not that audacious fellow was the rare human known as a “Pure Yang Spirit Body,” he was doomed to die!
※※※※※※※※
Having stayed up all night, Qiao San inevitably felt somewhat drowsy. Yet, the moment he saw Qingniang’s graceful figure bustling about in the kitchen, he immediately became energetic and cheerful.
“Big sister, let me help you!”
Qingniang’s cheeks flushed red as she awkwardly paused her chores. “You…you should rest a bit. Did you stay out all night again last night?”
“Yeah.” Joy surged in Qiao San’s heart. His sister-in-law’s concern was nothing new, but this was the first time she had spoken with such a hint of jealousy.
While feeding firewood into the stove, he defended himself earnestly, “There’s an election meeting coming up in a few days, so I was summoned last night to the city god temple outside town. The back-and-forth wasted my entire night…”
“Oh!” Both uncle and sister-in-law experienced a whirlwind of emotions, yet their expressions remained calm. The younger brother’s overly detailed explanation secretly brought a flicker of delight to the young widow’s heart.
After a brief silence, Qiao San suddenly changed the topic and tone, his voice burning with emotion. “Qingniang, I bought you a hairpin. Do you think it looks nice?”
“No…no, I don’t want it!” Seeing Qiao San’s persistent expression, Qingniang instinctively blurted out, “Third Brother, don’t force me, or else…”
Same old trick—but it always worked!
Caught at a weak point, Qiao San could only sigh helplessly again, then obediently left the kitchen. However, he “accidentally” left the hairpin on the stove. Eventually, Qingniang’s hesitant hand retrieved it and tucked it into her bosom.
A tender emotion swirled warmly in the air, and the quiet atmosphere deepened the forbidden waves between uncle and niece.
※※※※※※※
When Qiao San reappeared at the market, it was already past noon. A morning’s sleep had refreshed him, and he approached his most “profitable” job with renewed vigor and determination.
“Third Brother, why did you leave early yesterday again? The courtesan kept complaining that you’re no real man, ha ha ha…”
A group of ruffians knew nothing of etiquette or respect. Though they deeply admired Qiao San, they still teased him playfully.
“Damn it, I’ll make sure she can’t get out of bed someday!” Qiao San joked casually with his brothers before suddenly raising his arm and shouting:
“Brothers, let’s get to work, lads!”
Ahem…work? Of course, it meant swindling, cheating, and blackmailing!
“Mom, this guy isn’t human—he’s worse than a ghost! He even extorted money from an old lady!”
In the shadows beneath the eaves, the pale, delicate face of the pure young ghost flickered with a ghostly glow. How could such a kind girl tolerate the actions of these ruffians?
“Xiaoyou, this trash deserves death! Let’s keep following them. As soon as we get a chance, we’ll strike!” Ghostess’s spirit body resembled a beautiful bait, exuding a deadly fragrance, ready at any moment to “lure and kill.”
Since Dragon Mother had granted them power, mother and daughter could barely walk in daylight. Still, they instinctively feared the sun and could only move in disguise through dark corners.
“Big Brother, we’ve collected all the old lady’s money. Let’s go drink at the courtesan house! You skipped out yesterday—don’t tell me you’ll run off again today, ha ha ha…”
“Damn right, let’s go! I’m always up for it. It’s just that those girls aren’t pretty enough!” Qiao San led the way toward the brothel. How could a man show weakness in such matters, especially one as vigorous and full of yang energy as he?
“Yay…off to visit the prostitutes!”
A few hooligans shouted and laughed, as if proud of their scandalous deed, drawing disapproving glances from passersby. Sighing inwardly, people muttered that indeed, these rascals were shameless even in their visits to brothels.
“Xiaoyou, quick! Mom has an idea!” Ghostess’s eyes sparkled. In an instant, a brilliant plan formed in her mind, swirling and refusing to fade.
The two female ghosts swiftly passed through walls and entered the brothel.
“Madam, come out quick! Our Third Brother has come to choose a girl!”
A thin, tall punk nicknamed “Fried Dough Stick” rushed into the brothel first, hugging a heavily made-up prostitute and smooching her noisily while smugly showing off, “Third Brother said he’s going to show off his ‘unstoppable vigor’ today, hehe…”
“Exactly!” Another punk nicknamed “Flatbread” quickly chimed in, his short, fat figure contrasting humorously with “Fried Dough Stick.”
Bold San habitually sat in a corner chair, ready to listen to some music and sip some wine to pass the boring day. Seeing those flirtatious courtesans, he couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. After all, his sister-in-law was the most beautiful woman in Liulang Town. His tastes had long been spoiled by such beauty.
At that moment, the madam, wearing her usual shrewd expression, didn’t go to greet other regular customers as she normally would. Instead, she came forward with an air of pride and said, “Third Brother, this time I won’t just take your money for nothing. Let me tell you, our Yihonglou just received an absolutely stunning beauty today—she hasn’t even started entertaining guests yet! Just for you, Third Brother, I’m letting you in on this first!”
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