Bubai always knew the strangeness of his physique can’t be hidden for long.

  Any powerful elder could easily discover his uniqueness if they cared to give him a scan.

  Even some astute cultivators at the foundation realm could notice something off with his body.

  Meanwhile, those women receiving his special essential care package could even tell the difference just by looking at their own skin!

  The essence of the matter was that all who knows never told... for one reason or another, but it was impossible to keep everybody’s mouths shut forever.

  Since it would be discovered sooner or later, might as well play this ace card with his own hands.

  Though it still attracted attention, it was the least likely to expose his deeper secrets.

  After all, physiques were granted by heaven. The origin can’t be any more clear. Anyone believing otherwise can go talk to Grandpa Heavens.

  Now, the game was set, and it was just a matter of patience.

  But somebody was clearly not in the mood to be patient.

  Trailing a few steps behind, a fiery passion of men had her arms crossed tightly, impatience and sarcasm flickering in her sharp eyes like embers in a smoldering fire.

  “Tsk. Your horny bird got lucky and what you wanted. Why are you still wasting your life here? Still thinking about going back to water the palace flowers? Dream on!”

  Her words struck a nerve.

  In a flash, Bubai whirled around and his iron-like claws clamped her chins, forcing her to look into his eyes.

  “Know your place, woman. Shut up and say less. Or else… believe it or not, I’ll set up shop right here to let you brew tea for those scions of the Central District.”

  “You dare?!”

  “Try me.”

  Cold, almost bored eyes fought against eyes that were almost spitting fire.

  An unspoken battle of will raged. Neither blinked, neither moved—until, slowly, the fire in the caged lioness’s eyes dimmed.

  Xiao Hong averted her eyes, hissing through gritted teeth. “You win.”

  A strong woman doesn’t surrender, but a smart woman bends to the circumstances.

  “Good.” Bubai let go of her face as if discarding an unwanted burden. “You’re on my boat now. Just be obedient. Know what you should and shouldn’t do and we won’t have any problems.”

  Without waiting for a response, he turned on his heel and stormed away.

  Left behind, Xiao Hong’s nails almost dug into her palms, but she soon relaxed them and followed in his wake nonetheless.

  Her steps were quieter, more subdued, but her pride wouldn’t allow her to fully admit defeat.

  So, the woman put her greatest weapon to the test.

  Thus… while they walked the paved streets, the hungry eyes of passing dandies undressed the peacock with every step, as though the qipao hugging her figure were but a whisper away from being peeled off.

  The leering gazes and the mere slaps on the wrist only made the arrogant peacock even bolder. She acted as if she wasn’t afraid of bringing her new master even more trouble!

  No third-rate noble villain came up to seek death, but Bubai felt the evil fire in his belly growing.

  “Woman. Just wait until we get back… see how I punish you.”

  His sharp, guttural threat did nothing but spark defiance and she glared back fiercely, as if daring him to follow through on his threat.

  Gah. This loose woman. Was she really not afraid just cause she was born with a better skin?

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  If she really thought fleshly pleasures can wipe her sins, she was wrong... oh very wrong.

  Bubai wasn’t one to just have fun and forget.

  If it weren’t for her, why would he be throwing himself into this pit of fire? How nice would it be to stay low key?

  Using an ace card this early on was dangerous and something he least liked to do.

  Alas... when the tide comes, he either rides it or sink to the bottom. There was no lifeguard on duty at this beach.

  Ah… he really misses the days where there was Weiwei to cover for him.

  Now, he must be his own pillar, and after holding the roof up this time, he will lose all chances of being low key.

  Ah, it’s too late to complain. What was done was done.

  But one thing was for sure. He’ll definitely make her pay for all the trouble she brought him.

  Of course, things must be done in moderation. He’ll take it slowly. There’s no rush. Useful tools should never be discarded.

  Yes, keeping her longer must mean trouble. But, there’s always two sides to a coin, just like his overall situation.

  While this event brought him trouble, it also gave him more freedom to stand out.

  Since there’s a good excuse, there’s no more playing small.

  A good part of his hidden strength can now be flared in the open at the upcoming Inner Sect Exchange. This in itself could be a life saver on stage!

  To top it off, his exposed physique was sold for an extra layer of protection.

  Bubai knew his status as a sacrificial offering to the suspected protagonist was recorded in the Mo Clan’s books, but not necessarily recognized by the other factions of this sect.

  But after this exposure...

  As long as greed exists, no cultivator would let a precious commodity like him die! At least, that old geezer Ma Pei would make sure of that.

  That old ginger said he doesn’t covet his physique, but that doesn’t mean that bad old man won’t sell him for a good price!

  Fortunately, that old Ma Pei wasn’t the only one with a say in where his fate would end up.

  The granny had long placed a stake in the game!

  Alas… though Granny Shu’s connections run deep, he was still unsure if her influence could truly protect him when it came down to it.

  The sect was a chaotic place of shifting alliances and hidden motives.

  Once everyone wanted a piece of him, even if Granny Shu could stall them, there was no telling how long she could hold them off.

  But all this was mostly accounted for in his plans.

  The granny was really nice to him, but Bubai never puts all his eggs in one basket, lest he still helps count the money after being sold.

  Instead of putting the control in the hands of others, he would rather capitalize on all opportunities to earn himself the most benefits while he still can.

  Tossing out a prized jade like his physique was like drinking poison to quench thirst, but still a means to an end.

  Whether this end be glory or doom is hard to say, but there is a silver lining in this whole matter.

  Bubai never forgot his true backup—his golden finger!

  The true source of his physique was never some heaven-bestowed nonsense.

  His seemingly heaven-defying physique was just a byproduct from the nourishment of his golden finger’s mysterious energy!

  The nurture of the original wisps and strands granted him an acquired physique. Now, the dew drops were upgrading his physique further!

  The ceiling of the enhancements was unknown, but Bubai had a feeling…

  As long as the green hills are still there, there’s no need to worry about firewood!

  If they can’t find the source, even if his physique was retrograded, damaged, or lost, he could eventually let it recover from scratch!

  So, Bubai wasn’t afraid if they crippled him. They can even plunder his physique to their heart's content.

  As long as his life was spared, he will rise again!

  Of course, if the worst case came to pass and his cheat was somehow stolen, he’d just chalk it up to bad luck.

  But it was still better than doing nothing and passively awaiting judgment.

  His little brother might not even have any leeway for life once the criminal charges were finally leveled against him by the Law Enforcement Hall.

  Speaking of the devil…

  Stopping at the border of the East District, Bubai noticed the absence of the law enforcement checkpoint that had been firmly in place just hours earlier.

  Everything seemed to have calmed down, but that only made his heart grow colder.

  Bubai looked up at the late afternoon skies that did little to ease his nerves, and he pushed off the charming snake entangling him.

  "It’s getting late. Go back to pack up and find me after the Blue Moon."

  The sudden changes to the plan left the thorny rose unsatisfied and she snapped back, “What do you mean by that? I always carry everything in my po—”

  “I don’t want to repeat myself a second time.” Bubai shot her an icy look, his eyes like cold steel placed against her throat.

  Xiao Hong’s pride and anger warred within her, but in the end, she only clicked her tongue in annoyance.

  "Tsk. No need to be so fierce. If you want me gone, just say it. I don’t want to see your ugly face either."

  Bubai didn’t even flinch at her comment. “Remember. Tomorrow morning, Mao hour sharp.”

  “Tsk.” Curling her arms over her bosom full of attitude, Xiao Hong spun on her heel and strutted away.

  With that loose end sent away, Bubai stormed forward into the familiar residential district.

  It’s just that this afternoon... the atmosphere was definitely off.

  Eyes were on him. From the shadows, the rooftops… he didn’t need to look to know who they belonged to.

  The game has already started, and there’s no turning back now.

  The deeper he went, the more oppressive the atmosphere became.

  He felt like a prey sensing the silent predators herding him toward his final destination…

  By the time Bubai reached his tower, he felt the eyes falling onto him from all over.

  But now, they were like arrows seeking a target. There was no hiding, no pretending. There was no need to.

  After all, it was time to close the net.

  Looking at the rings of law enforcers encircling his tower and treating him like a sheep, Bubai sighed inside.

  In the end, his premonition came true.

  The consequences of having blood on his hands finally came back to bite him.