I Can Devour Spirits

Chapter 45: Chapter 45: Hidden Fury

When Duan Rong woke up, the room was pitch black. Outside, it seemed a wind had started, blowing the gauze on the carved window with a whooshing sound!

Duan Rong stretched lazily and muttered to himself, ”Such a strong wind, looks like the weather is going to change!”

Duan Rong jumped off the bed, took a wooden basin, and prepared to go to the well to wash up.

He was in a great mood!

He hadn’t had any spring dreams last night!

Moreover, yesterday at 3 p.m., when he was painting for those courtesans, he didn’t feel any heat in his lower abdomen!

It seemed everything indicated that the incident of painting maps on the bedsheet that night was purely coincidental!

Guan Yun’s prescription was definitely fine!

And during his two days of stance training, he felt vibrant; the potion’s effect still surged within his meridians. Though the potion was expensive, its potency was beyond Duan Rong’s expectations!

After washing up, Duan Rong returned to the Martial Arts Arena to start his stance training again!

He was simply a crazed cultivation machine!

The reason behind Duan Rong’s fanatical training actually has a lot to do with his previous life’s experience as a corporate drone!

Only when you’ve experienced the grind of society can you truly understand the importance of learning!

The essence of education is not cultivation but selection!

It weeds out the able ones, giving them opportunities and resources, allowing them to develop what needs developing!

Those eliminated by such cruel selection can only linger on the outskirts of this gigantic official machinery, left to fend for themselves!

Of course, you can rise through other paths, but those opportunities are much rarer! Successes are indeed far and few between!

In his previous life, Duan Rong regretted countless times that he hadn’t studied frantically in high school or gotten into a prestigious college!

But now, he’s reborn!

A person shouldn’t make the same mistake twice!

He is determined to train insanely!

He’ll outwork everyone!

Duan Rong continued his stance, standing until it was close to 3 p.m.

He exhaled and dispersed his skill, a trace of exhaustion appeared in his gaze.

His body once again felt depleted; the potion’s power lasted him nearly three days of intense training!

”Guan Yun’s prescription is effective,” Duan Rong concluded after three days of trials.

”Looks like after the stall closes, I need to visit the Herbal Shop again!”

”I can’t stop taking the potion!”

Duan Rong returned to the dormitory courtyard, washed off the stinky sweat, transforming into a moving rack as he headed across from Huaying Building...

The western sky was already draped in red hues, and in the twilight sky, bats flipped and flew around catching tiny insects.

Xiao Zongting smacked the jade mouthpiece of his smoking pipe, limping down the steps in front of the courtyard.

After several days of medicinal soups and acupuncture, Xiao Baijiao’s condition finally stabilized, and yesterday she was already able to get up and do some needlework.

Xiao Zongting’s tense heart finally settled.

He now planned to go to the inner courtyard’s accounting room to collect this month’s salary.

He had been worried about Xiao Baijiao’s condition and even forgot about the monthly salary.

After finishing his smoke, Xiao Zongting knocked the ash from his pipe against a nearby willow tree.

After cleaning the ash, he put his hands behind his back and took a shortcut to the inner courtyard.

Xiao Zongting passed through a gallery, where two Escort Masters were whispering about something ahead.

Xiao Zongting never paid much attention to rumors and gossip, so he didn’t listen closely.

But suddenly, he heard Duan Rong’s name, and instinctively, he pricked up his ears!

After all, it was his apprentice, and gossip might involve him too.

”...apprentice...started concocting potions in the Medicine Furnace room...”

”I heard he even runs off to sell paintings in front of brothels...”

”Isn’t this bringing disgrace to our Yuan Shun Escort Agency?”

Had he not listened, it would have been fine. But upon hearing, Xiao Zongting’s gaunt face turned even darker!

He decided not to collect his monthly salary and stormed out of Yuan Shun Escort Agency instead!

The evening descended!

In the dim light, tired crows fluttered their wings, flying gently overhead...

Xiao Zongting stood at a corner of an alley not far from Huaying Building, watching Duan Rong set up his easel under the big pagoda tree with an angry gaze.

The yellow glow of the lantern fell on Duan Rong’s face, and standing there, Xiao Zongting could see clearly.

At that moment, there was only one customer left in front of Duan Rong’s painting stall.

A chubby girl with a twin bun hairstyle and bangs on her forehead, her round face resembling a full moon!

In mere days, Duan Rong had mastered his skill. Before Huaying Building opened its doors, he picked up the painting and handed it to the girl.

The chubby girl looked at the painting, and two dimples instantly appeared on her face, turning away with excitement and joy. She was eager to share it with others.

The chubby girl was walking eagerly when an aggressive, gaunt old man suddenly blocked her path.

Seeing the old man’s appearance, the chubby girl immediately covered her chest in fear, her face changing slightly, ”What are you doing?”

”Don’t be scared, miss!” Xiao Zongting squeezed out a smile.

It was better when he didn’t smile because when he did, he looked even more terrifying, causing the chubby girl to turn pale.

”I just want to ask how much this painting in your hand cost?”

Feeling relieved that it was about the painting, the chubby girl softened her expression. Despite the old man’s look, admiration for beauty transcends age; who said old men can’t be interested in paintings? She replied, ”Ten taels.”

”Ten taels?” Xiao Zongting’s face twitched, pausing for a brief moment.

The chubby girl smiled, walked around Xiao Zongting, and departed.

It seemed the old man was not only creepy but also poor! Surely he was a lonely old bachelor!

Xiao Zongting stood at the alley corner, suddenly sneezing hard. At that moment, he saw Duan Rong transform into a moving rack, disappearing into an alley.

With a gloomy expression, Xiao Zongting limped after him!

Duan Rong first went to the Herbal Shop, grabbed another potion, and returned directly to Yuan Shun Escort Agency.

Duan Rong crossed the front yard, went through the moon gate into the middle courtyard, passed the Martial Arts Arena, and arrived at his dormitory courtyard.

He planned to drop off his things in the dormitory, then get dinner before heading to the Medicine Furnace room to brew the potion!

Duan Rong was very familiar with his little den; thus, he didn’t light a lamp, planning just to drop things off and head to the canteen.

Just as he placed his belongings in the corner and turned, he suddenly noticed a shadow standing at the doorway.

The dim light outside cast the shadow into the room, looking like a phantom.

Duan Rong’s heart tightened, his hand instinctively reaching for the knife handle at his waist.

”Come with me!”

Duan Rong relaxed upon hearing Elder Xiao’s voice.

”Bring the potion you picked up!” Xiao Zongting said, and turned to leave in the dark.

Duan Rong sensed the underlying anger in Xiao Zongting’s voice!

He picked up the potion, locked the door, and quickly caught up with Xiao Zongting.

Following Xiao Zongting closely, Duan Rong’s heart was pounding!

”Could something have happened? Why did Elder Xiao suddenly corner me at the dormitory?”

By now, the sky had darkened. Duan Rong followed Xiao Zongting nervously, walking until they reached his two-courtyard residence.

Once inside, Duan Rong noticed the chimney in the kitchen emitting cooking smoke. Inside, the fire flickered, occasionally catching sight of Zhu Xiaoqi in red, busy pace.

Duan Rong licked his lips, already smelling the aroma of food!

I haven’t had dinner yet!