The Legend of the Condor Heroes: From Being Expelled from Peach Blossom Island

Chapter 571 A Demon in the House
Deyuelou Restaurant in Gusu City was once the place where the Shi family arrogantly seized territory and set up a fighting arena in front of the restaurant. It was the most luxurious place in Gusu City, and officials would choose to welcome and send off guests here.

Compared to Deyuelou, Wujia Wuweilou caters to the middle class of Suzhou and focuses on local business, so it is much smaller in scale.

That night, the Deyue Tower was brightly lit. Ma Cheng, the former prefect of Pingjiang Prefecture, hosted a banquet for the newly appointed prefect, Lü Fang, to welcome him and wash away the dust of his journey. Officials and gentry of any standing in Suzhou gathered there, making it a lively and bustling place.

At this moment, in the largest private room on the third floor of Deyuelou, Lü Fang was surrounded by people, receiving their compliments as if he were the center of attention. The room could accommodate more than a dozen people, and those sitting inside were all prominent figures in the officialdom of Suzhou.

Wu Chengyu, disguised as Murong Xiu, was in a private room next door. Although he was the de facto ruler of Pingjiang Prefecture, his nominal identity as the Gusu Militia Commander was not respectable enough to warrant sitting at the same table as Lü Fang.

When the banquet started, he followed the crowd and toasted Lü Fang. Lü Fang, on the other hand, put on a humble and respectful demeanor. When others toasted him, he was neither arrogant nor humble, with a faint smile and a very composed manner.

Wu Chengyu had never heard of this person in either history or the original work. Upon meeting him face to face, he was surprised to find that this middle-aged man, who was nearly forty years old, was quite pleasing to the eye. It would not be an exaggeration to say that he was elegant and charming.

His facial features were clear and well-defined. Although he was middle-aged, there were no wrinkles left by time on his face. Instead, with a few gentle smile lines drawn at the corners of his eyes and some deep marks settled between his brows, his features were exquisitely crafted.

Her eyes and brows were extremely beautiful; she had phoenix eyes with a deep and bright gaze, and long, thick eyebrows with a relaxed arch that exuded an air of elegance without being ostentatious.

The bridge of his nose is high and straight without being overly abrupt, blending harmoniously with the overall facial contours and adding a touch of elegance.

He maintains a good physique, tall and well-proportioned, with broad and straight shoulders, and a relaxed and elegant posture. His clothes are not extravagant, but simple, appropriate, and of high quality.

In addition, this person came from a poor family, yet he was able to become the second-highest scorer in the imperial examination ten years ago. He was well-read and had a refined and elegant demeanor.

In short, he was a handsome, dashing, and sophisticated middle-aged man who could easily be considered a heartthrob among older men in later generations.

In terms of handsome features alone, Wu Chengyu's true appearance surpasses his. However, in terms of refined temperament, Wu Chengyu was a prodigal son who worked in a state-owned enterprise in his previous life, and in this life, he has been fighting and killing. The two lives combined are not as good as Lü Fang's.

In any era, appearance is a huge advantage. In ancient times, the selection of officials also paid attention to appearance. Wu Chengyu thought to himself that if he were the emperor, he would also find it pleasing to the eye to have such an official under his command.

Not only his appearance, but also his manners are impeccable. When he looks at people, his eyes are upright and his gaze is sincere. When he listens to people, he is focused and has a smile on his lips, giving people a feeling of warmth and comfort.

Wu Chengyu came today to observe what kind of person Lü Fang was and whether he could be controlled. Now that he knows that the crazy woman is likely Lü Fang's wife, he is even more interested.

Born into a humble family but possessing considerable talent, he achieved the second-highest rank in the imperial examinations without any backing or assistance, remaining merely a compiler in the Hanlin Academy. However, after getting married, his official career progressed smoothly, and he became the prefect of Pingjiang Prefecture before the age of forty.

Meanwhile, his wife practices evil arts, acts recklessly, has a crazy personality, has a bunch of assassins under her command, and also has a deep connection with a certain Taoist sect.

The sudden appointment of someone as the prefect of Pingjiang Prefecture could potentially disrupt Wu Chengyu's long-standing plans in the prefecture.

One of them followed her husband to his new post, kidnapping young girls and committing evil deeds along the way, almost harming Huang Rong and the other two. She was immediately put on Wu Chengyu's kill list.

How could such a couple not attract Wu Chengyu's attention when they appeared in his sphere of influence?

Pingjiang Prefecture is a large prefecture with a developed economy and a key location. The prefect is also a high-ranking official, reaching the fourth rank. If this guy stays in Pingjiang Prefecture for a few years, as long as there are no major changes, he will return to Hangzhou and become a third-rank official or above. His future is limitless.

Of course, it's too early to tell what kind of person he is just from meeting him today. Officials are all shrewd and calculating; they can't be seen through so easily.

Throughout history, those treacherous officials, whether Cai Jing or Qin Hui, were all highly talented and handsome, yet they all ended up being infamous for eternity.

Wu Chengyu returned to his private room, keeping a low profile and not engaging in any grand discussions. He simply drank a few glasses of wine and ate a few bites of food occasionally, while simultaneously opening a 3D dynamic map to observe Lü Fang's every move.

After a few rounds of drinks, Ma Cheng took the initiative to speak: "Drinking with just a few of us is a bit boring. Brother Lü Fang, you may not know this, but although Suzhou is not as prosperous as Hangzhou, it is still a place of outstanding people and beautiful scenery. The girls of Suzhou are even more beautiful than the most beautiful women in the world."

I had the Deyue Tower find the best singers and dancers in Suzhou to perform a dance for Brother Lü, to entertain him and let you know the warmth and hospitality of Suzhou.”

As soon as he finished speaking, five dancers entered the private room. The sound of string and wind instruments drifted in from outside, melodious and lingering. The dancers danced gracefully and beautifully.

The person in the lead position should be the main dancer, occupying the center position. She was carefully selected by Ma Cheng, so her appearance is naturally outstanding.

The moment she moved, it was as if a vivid and fragrant painting was slowly unfolding. Her swaying figure was like a serpent swimming through slightly damp silk under the moonlight, and her undulating curves were outlined breathtakingly under the lamplight.

What's most wonderful is that her waist is so slender that it seems as if it could be broken with a single grasp, yet below it suddenly becomes full and voluptuous, undulating like mountains, exquisite and curvaceous, every inch of her curves drawing the gaze of onlookers back and forth, making it impossible to look away.

Wu Chengyu, being in the next room, naturally couldn't see these dance moves; in the 3D model, they were all reduced to lines, the charm of the women's bodies completely gone. Yet, at this moment, a subtle smile appeared on his lips.

The newly appointed prefect's performance was impeccable, and his emotions remained stable throughout. However, as the dancers moved with their slender waists and delicate smiles, his heartbeat noticeably quickened, becoming much more intense than that of the officials around him.

Lu Fang's breathing became somewhat rapid, his nostrils flared slightly, and his eyes were filled with greed. He paid no attention to the others' attempts to persuade him to drink, and picked up his wine cup and drank it all in one gulp.

His gaze lingered on the dancer, flowing over the rounded curves of her shoulders and neck, disappearing into the breathtakingly deep valleys of her chest; then it quietly glided over the flatness of her taut waist and abdomen, finally surging forth at the peak of her buttocks in a full, breathtaking arc.

At this moment, his expression, if not entirely devoid of emotion, was quite different from that of the refined and handsome middle-aged man from before. His features were still the same, but now they had inexplicably changed.

He was fiery, greedy, thirsty, and impulsive, just like any other lustful person in the world.

As the lights shifted and the music drew to a close, the dancer spun at her fastest, her dark red figure almost transforming into a blazing flame. Suddenly, she froze in the center of the stage, as if time itself had been frozen.

At the same time, a sigh came from Lü Fang and the sound of several others spitting out saliva. They were not exactly behaving in a ridiculous manner, but they had lost all their previous elegance. Everyone wanted to take the dancer in front of them into their arms.

Ma Cheng was the most slick; he was the only one who was truly alert at the table, his attention entirely focused on Lü Fang, and his smile became even brighter.

"Brother Lü Fang, are you satisfied? Do you find the girls of Suzhou pleasing to the eye? This is the most beautiful courtesan I have recently joined at the Hongxiu Pavilion in Suzhou. Her name is Cui Nong, and her dancing skills are unparalleled in Pingjiang Prefecture. I spent a lot of money to invite her here, just to make you smile."

Lu Fang pursed his lips before coming to his senses: "Brother Ma, you are too kind. Today I have broadened my horizons and this trip has been truly worthwhile."

Lü Fang laughed heartily: "We are all like-minded people. Whether we are officials or ordinary people, we can't avoid indulging in sensual pleasures. It's just a little enjoyment. Brother Lü, when you become the governor of Pingjiang Prefecture and serve as a local official, you should also share the joy with the people."

"Cui Nong, it's rare that Lord Lü appreciates you. Why don't you come over and offer him a toast, keep him company, and he'll take good care of you in Suzhou in the future."

The dancer named Cui Nong smiled alluringly, swaying her hips gracefully as she stepped forward. She raised her wine cup with her slender hands, as if she wanted to snuggle into Lü Fang's arms. "Lord Lü, I wish you a prosperous official career, rising to high office. I reside in Suzhou, and I hope you will grace me with your presence in the future."

Lu Fang's nose was filled with the woman's fragrance, and he could feel the curves of her body pressed against him. He could no longer maintain his composure and his whole body trembled involuntarily. He quickly picked up his wine glass and drank with Cui Nong.

Ma Cheng, standing nearby, chuckled and said, "Since you two get along so well, why don't we have Cui Nong serve Brother Lü tonight? It would be quite a romantic tale for Brother Lü during his visit to Suzhou."

Lu Fang looked intoxicated and was about to agree when he seemed to remember something. His face darkened, and he shook his head repeatedly, saying, "I just settled in Suzhou and have things to do tonight. I really don't dare to be presumptuous with you, so let's do it another day."

Ma Cheng joked, "Could it be that your wife is so good at managing her husband that Brother Lü is worried about the grape trellis at home?"

"We men should not be held back by our wives. Brother Lü, you should learn from me. No matter what I do, my wife never dares to say a word."

These words made Lü Fang's face turn pale, and he wore a bitter smile. He even seemed to lose interest in teasing Cui Nong. Seeing this, Ma Cheng immediately changed the subject, which made the atmosphere lively again.

Wu Chengyu, who was in the next room, was relieved. He couldn't see anything else about Lü Fang, but he was definitely a lecher. There was nothing wrong with being a lecher; Wu Chengyu knew he had no right to criticize others.

But everyone knows their own situation. Putting oneself in others' shoes, a lustful man cannot be said to have a firm will. It is difficult for him to be upright, honest and self-disciplined. Such a person, once given the life-or-death talisman, would absolutely not dare to perish together with Wu Chengyu.

The welcoming banquet lasted until late afternoon. Lu Fang, under Cui Nong's careful flattery, had become quite drunk. If he hadn't still retained some sobriety, he might have actually taken Cui Nong home.

After bidding farewell to everyone, he looked at Cui Nong a few times with reluctance before getting into the carriage and returning to the prefectural government. Wu Chengyu followed far behind the carriage.

Deyuelou was not far from the prefectural government. In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the carriage arrived at the prefectural government. Lu Fang was swaying in the carriage, the effects of the wine just starting to take hold. When he got off the carriage, he saw an old man in Taoist robes standing in front of the government gate.

"The son-in-law is back, but why is he so drunk? The officials of Pingjiang Prefecture really don't know their place."

The old man addressed himself as a servant, but his tone sounded more like a reprimand. The moment Lü Fang saw the old man, he sobered up considerably.

The old man didn't give Lü Fang a chance to speak at all, and said to himself, "Young master has been away for a long time, making young lady wait for a long time. Please come to the main hall to see young lady. Today young lady is in a bad mood and may have vented a little. Please forgive her."

Lu Fang, the prefect of Pingjiang Prefecture, who had been enjoying great success at Deyue Tower, was now completely dejected. He had lost all his luster and his posture was no longer upright. He dared not refute the old man's words and walked into the mansion with uneven steps.

Wu Chengyu watched coldly from a distance. This old man in Taoist robes was the bodyguard with the crazy woman's figure that Guo Jing and the others had mentioned. He was indeed a top-level expert with a solid foundation in Taoist techniques, and he was not far from reaching the pinnacle.

Such a master is usually a regional overlord, and in the Ming Cult, the number one sect in the world, he would at least serve as the Left and Right Bright Envoys. But here, he is a woman's personal bodyguard. Wu Chengyu is increasingly puzzled about the woman's background.

Most importantly, this Lord Lü Fang seems to lack the authority of a husband. As soon as he returns home, he acts like a mouse entering a cat's den, always a little apprehensive.

Although the old man in the Taoist robe was highly skilled in martial arts, he was absolutely unable to detect Wu Chengyu's whereabouts unless he reached the pinnacle. Wu Chengyu simply used his lightness skill to easily enter the prefectural government office.

As Lü Fang walked step by step toward the main hall, his back seemed to be bending more and more. Before he even pushed open the door, he heard the voice he least wanted to hear. It was still so delicate, but it felt like touching a slippery venomous snake, making him feel disgusted.

"My husband, you're finally back. I've been waiting so long. What's so great about these local officials in Suzhou? With my father here, you won't stay in Suzhou for more than a few years before you're transferred back to Hangzhou. By then, you'll at least be a minister in one of the six ministries."

The moment Lü Fang pushed open the door, his furrowed brows immediately relaxed, and a smile spread across his face: "Thank you for your guidance, madam. However, I will still need to serve in Pingjiang Prefecture in the future, so I should get to know the officials here better."

But as soon as Lü Fang entered the main hall, the smile he had just forced out immediately froze. There was a strong smell of blood in the main hall, which made his last bit of drunkenness disappear instantly.

The crazy woman inside immediately beamed when she saw her husband's handsome face: "Every time I see my husband, I am very happy."

Back when my husband was in the Hanlin Academy, the first time I saw you, I knew you belonged to me, and there was no escaping you. Sure enough, all these years have passed, and my husband is still so handsome. I can never get enough of looking at you.

"Someone come here and bring the master a bowl of hangover soup. Also, wipe up the bloodstains on the floor. You have no sense of propriety at all!"

Lu Fang seemed to already know what had happened. He pointed tremblingly at the bloodstains on the ground, wanting to question them, but he still didn't dare to speak loudly, only asking cautiously.

"My lady, what is this? Has someone offended you and should be punished?"

The crazy woman looked at Lü Fang's expression with great interest: "Who in this mansion dares to offend me? It's just that I got into a fight with someone at noon today."

My husband knows that I have only recently recovered from the qi deviation that happened a few years ago. Whenever I fight, my blood and qi surge, and I need a woman's essence and blood to help me recover.

"I was in seclusion practicing my martial arts before, which is why I tacitly allowed my husband to take two concubines. Now that I'm back, these two concubines are useless to me, so I can use them to practice my skills. It's a good way to put them to good use. Husband, you're not reluctant to part with them, are you?"

Lu Fang's face turned pale and then red. His wife had been away for a while, and before she went into seclusion, she suddenly allowed him to take concubines. For half a year, he had two sensible and beautiful young women by his side, and his life had never been so comfortable.

Who would have thought that no sooner had he arrived in Suzhou to take up his post than his wife followed him there, and then both of his concubines died tragically. Lü Fang even felt that the reason he was allowed to take concubines was simply because he wanted to have two living cauldrons at home.

However, he dared not say anything. His face was stiff and he could no longer make any expression. He had no power or influence, no backing. He had become the second-place scholar in the imperial examination based on his talent, but he could only waste his years in the Hanlin Academy and never had the opportunity to be transferred to a higher position.

Because of his outstanding appearance, several superiors hinted that if he slept with them, he would definitely have a chance for promotion.

While Lü Fang was torn between his conscience and his conscience, he almost agreed to marry the old man who was twenty years older than him, but at that moment, his wife appeared.

Not only was she as beautiful as a fairy, but her background was also terrifying. At first, she treated him with utmost kindness and support. After Lü Fang married her, the covetousness of outsiders immediately disappeared, and he began to rise rapidly in rank.

He rose through the ranks from compiler at the Hanlin Academy, eventually reaching the fourth rank after ten years in office, and still had great potential for advancement. Originally, Lü Fang felt immense gratitude and tears of joy towards this lady.

One day, everything collapsed as if the sky had fallen. His wife, for some unknown reason, went into a state of demonic possession while practicing martial arts. Lü Fang did not know martial arts and did not understand the meaning of demonic possession, but when he saw his wife's skeletal appearance and her ghostly appearance, Lü Fang felt only fear.

While he was preparing to become a widower, his wife did not die. Instead, she killed all the maids in the mansion overnight and used her so-called essence blood to practice her skills, restoring at least half of her body to its original state.

That day, Lü Fang finally learned what a devil was.

(End of this chapter)