Chapter 102: The Terrifying Secret Within the Erotic Painting!

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Mu Ran gazed upon the exquisitely sensual and wickedly charged erotic painting. Li Yuanjing was momentarily taken aback, his expression shifting noticeably.

However, Li Yuanjing soon composed himself. Even with Liu Yun still present, he showed no embarrassment and continued to leaf through the erotic album.

Before long, Li Yuanjing’s complexion truly changed—his cheeks flushed deeply, and his breathing grew heavy.

Nearby, Liu Yun kept his eyes fixed on Li Yuanjing’s face. Seeing this reaction, his expression remained neutral, but a great weight lifted from his heart.

As long as this young man Li Yuanjing liked what all young men would naturally appreciate, the matter was already more than halfway resolved.

“Heh heh, you flatter me, Lord Liu. To be honest, this is the first time I’ve seen such a tantalizing work. This album—I truly like it,” Li Yuanjing said with a bright smile, carefully putting away the erotic painting before turning to Liu Yun.

Liu Yun’s spirits lifted instantly as he hastened to reply with a smile, “It’s just some trivial trinkets. If you, Mr. Li, are pleased, then that is their greatest fortune.”

Yet he said nothing about the affairs of the Liu family.

Without any prompting, Li Yuanjing naturally didn’t press for details either. He simply stored the album away and resumed reading with keen interest.

However, while Li Yuanjing could read peacefully, Liu Yun was breaking out in a cold sweat.

Now he truly understood.

Li Yuanjing’s scheming was far deeper than Liu Yun had imagined.

No wonder even the young lord Zhang Zhiji regarded him with such respect—this was no baseless admiration.

Still, Liu Yun was no ordinary man. After a moment’s contemplation, he spoke cautiously in a hoarse voice, “Mr. Li, we are all from the same hometown, but my Liu family is in dire straits… I beg you, Mr. Li, for the sake of our shared roots, please lend the Liu family a hand.”

“Thud!”

With that, Liu Yun knelt directly onto the ground, bowing his head with utmost respect.

A faint curve appeared at the corner of Li Yuanjing’s lips.

Since Liu Yun was clearly a clever man—and a truly clever one at that—the matter could continue.

Li Yuanjing sighed softly and said, “Lord Liu, given your situation, I won’t hide the truth. I did petition the young lord on your behalf, but he set a bottom line: thirty thousand taels of silver. If you cannot meet that number, then your pleas are in vain.”

“Lord Liu, my abilities are limited. I apologize.”

“Thirty thousand taels?” Liu Yun suddenly raised his head, his eyes shining with hope. “Mr. Li, is this truly so?”

This left Li Yuanjing momentarily at a loss.

Could it be that thirty thousand taels was not Liu Yun’s minimum, but rather forty thousand?

But the matter had reached this point; Li Yuanjing would not retract his words.

“Lord Liu, do you mean to say you are willing to provide these thirty thousand taels?”

Liu Yun hastily kowtowed deeply to Li Yuanjing. “If you can guarantee this, Mr. Li, I will have everything settled before noon!”

…

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Liu Yun quickly left in high spirits. Li Yuanjing pondered briefly, then his brow relaxed as he retrieved the erotic album for closer inspection.

After all, Zhang Zhiji had tasked Li Yuanjing with securing twenty thousand taels. Now, asking Liu Yun for thirty thousand meant he had already surpassed his mission.

No doubt, Liu Yun would later compensate Li Yuanjing.

And Li Yuanjing had no intention of embezzling even a fraction of this sum; he would lay everything out clearly before Zhang Zhiji—there was no need for anxiety.

What truly unsettled Li Yuanjing was the erotic album itself.

“Rustle, rustle!”

He flipped through the album from beginning to end, sweat forming on his brow.

Not only was the artwork exquisite and rendered on colored pages, but the content was exceedingly scandalous, especially the later scenes and poses, which would surely make even the most daring actresses of future island nations blush.

More striking and terrifying was the presence of the male protagonist’s gaze—mysterious and godlike, imbued with an overwhelming aura of control.

The numerous female leads, by modern standards, appeared deeply entranced, wholly devoted to the male figure in an almost immersive worship.

This reminded Li Yuanjing irresistibly of the “martial arts manuals” found in many novels and films of later times.

From start to finish, the album was like a step-by-step teaching guide.

Alas, Li Yuanjing had no means to test or verify this hypothesis.

Just as he was about to close the album and shield his mind from its allure, his eyes accidentally landed on a ‘group scene’ near the back.

“Hmm, this is…”

As he was about to shut it, a sudden realization struck him like thunder.

He had overlooked a chilling detail before; now, scrutinizing it closely, every hair on his body stood on end.

The scene showed the male lead surrounded by beauties in a decadent chamber; his eyes still radiated an eerie mastery.

But the female lead, supported by several maidens and with her clothes fallen to her lower back, bore a pale pink lotus design on her slender waist—like a delicate watercolor painting, understated yet exuding an indescribable, enchanting otherworldliness.

Mu Ran!

Li Yuanjing felt as if awakened by a divine revelation, recalling a legendary scene.

—The ‘Holy Son’s Arrival’ of the Fragrance Sect, where the ‘sacred maiden’ must be taken, and countless candidates gathered like a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix...

…

“Mr. Li, your immense kindness to my Liu family will be remembered forever, beyond all measure…”

Before noon, Liu Yun arrived at Li Yuanjing’s inn with the collected silver, also presenting a generous gift of five thousand taels in silver notes.

Li Yuanjing wasted no time and accompanied Liu Yun to meet Zhang Zhiji.

Near the entrance, Liu Yun repeated once more what he had said countless times before.

Li Yuanjing understood perfectly—it was a reminder to ensure the matter was handled thoroughly.

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Li Yuanjing smiled at Liu Yun but said nothing, striding confidently into the inn where Zhang Zhiji was staying.

To allay Liu Yun’s doubts and establish his own reputation, what use was mere talk compared to concrete results?

…

“Thirty-five thousand taels?”

“Not quite!”

“Sir, that extra five thousand taels is surely from Liu Yun, yes?”

In Zhang Zhiji’s room, the piles of gleaming silver notes were spread on the table. Yet he showed no excitement, barely glancing at them, instead smiling warmly at Li Yuanjing.

Li Yuanjing hastened to bow. “Young Lord is wise. Yes, the five thousand taels were indeed a gift from Liu Yun to me. Oh, and…”

Carefully, Li Yuanjing retrieved the erotic album from his bosom, setting it gently on the corner of the table without opening it, then respectfully addressed Zhang Zhiji.

“Young Lord, this erotic album was also given by Liu Yun to please me.”

He added tentatively, “If the Young Lord likes it, I shall gladly present it to you…”

“Ha ha.”

With his heart pounding wildly, Li Yuanjing heard Zhang Zhiji laugh heartily.

“Sir, since Liu Yun gave it to you, why would I refuse? It’s just an erotic album—I understood it when I was five years old. You keep it.”

“And the five thousand taels as well. As agreed, the excess is your reward—you’ve exceeded the task, so how could I go back on my word?”

Li Yuanjing’s eyelid twitched slightly.

Without hesitation, he tucked the erotic album back into his bosom, then bowed to Zhang Zhiji.

“Young Lord, I have accepted the silver, but now I wish to offer it to you.”

“Please don’t refuse.”

Li Yuanjing straightened his back and spoke solemnly.

“Young Lord, we met as friends. You treat me as an equal despite my humble status, so I must speak frankly from my heart.”

“Young Lord, do you know how many years the people of Feng City have suffered under the bandits’ cruelty?”

“Now you are preparing to train troops. Previously, I was too humble and powerless to help, but with the Liu family’s support, I finally can contribute.”

“Furthermore…”

“Young Lord, forgive my impertinence.”

“The silver I received from Master Dong is enough to rebuild my estate. But now that I follow you, Young Lord, I sincerely hope for your resounding victories—so that I may live with peace of mind and security.”

Having spoken, Li Yuanjing bowed deeply, his sincerity overflowing.

Zhang Zhiji was momentarily stunned.

After a long pause, he recovered and clapped his hands, laughing heartily.

“Sir, sir! Today you’ve truly given me a fine lesson. If everyone treated me as you do, why would I endure such hardship?”

“Since you say so, I will accept the silver.”

“And I, Zhang Zhiji, hereby promise you—I will dedicate myself fully and will not disappoint you!”

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