I Can Devour Spirits

Chapter 151: Uninvited Guest

Duan Rong returned to Yuan Shun Escort Agency, first went to the central courtyard cafeteria for lunch, and then went back to Liu’s House, where in the courtyard, he began practicing the Complete Round Pile Skill.

He stood there until dusk, when it was the hour of the rooster, finally finishing his practice, wiping off the sweat from his body, and strolled towards the rear courtyard of the Escort Agency.

He still remembered that when he left the Escort Agency in the morning, Ma Wentao mentioned that Ma Chunying, Lady Ma, was going to invite him to a feast in the evening.

Duan Rong arrived at the agreed time.

In the rear courtyard of the Escort Agency, anyone ranked below the Leader cannot enter without being summoned, especially since Duan Rong is just an Intern Escort Master. But evidently, Ma Chunying had notified the guards of the rear courtyard; after checking Duan Rong’s waist token, they let him in.

Upon arriving, Duan Rong found Ma Wentao there as well. A table full of dishes, surprisingly cooked personally by Ma Chunying.

Ma Chunying, with a round moon-like face, looked quite prosperous, wore a gold hairpin, and donned embroidered clothes, exuding an aura of elegance without any hint of her maid background.

After Duan Rong respectfully bowed, they each took their seats.

Ma Chunying held Ruan Jing, asked him to bring a cup of wine to honor Duan Rong.

Duan Rong, terrified, left his seat, dared not accept, repeatedly declined. After Ma Wentao persuaded him a bit, Duan Rong finally stood up to accept it.

During the meal, Duan Rong learned that the Shopkeeper Ruan Fengshan was absent from the Escort Agency today. Knowing this, and with Ruan Fengshan not in the rear courtyard, Duan Rong didn’t dare linger, only ate a few bites before feigning drunkenness and leaving.

Ma Wentao tried to persuade him, but Duan Rong refused to stay any longer.

Upon leaving, Ma Chunying did present Duan Rong with many gifts, saying they were to thank him for saving Jing’Er.

Duan Rong accepted the gifts, continuously expressing humble gratitude.

Duan Rong left the rear courtyard, returned to Liu’s House, placed Ma Chunying’s gifts in the hall, and then exited the Escort Agency towards the street.

He hadn’t eaten much at the banquet, so his stomach was still empty. Duan Rong ate a big bowl of wonton and two baked flatbreads at a street corner, wiped his mouth, and returned to Liu’s House to continue practicing the Complete Round Pile Skill...

Late at night, Ruan Fengshan returned to the Escort Agency, rested in Ma Chunying’s room. After their private moments, Ma Chunying talked to Ruan Fengshan about Duan Rong’s respectful and restrained demeanor during the evening banquet.

Ruan Fengshan stroked Ma Chunying’s silky back with his large hand, saying, "People only adhere to rules when they have fear. This kid is quite a promising prospect..."

In the following days, Duan Rong entered a frenzied cultivation mode, relentlessly practicing the Complete Round Pile Skill daily and occasionally going to Snow Hidden Residence to spar with Ximen Kankan.

Ximen Kankan often engaged in bizarre antics, which became a source of leisure for Duan Rong, providing mental relief amidst the monotonous training.

Duan Rong’s Saber Technique improved daily, and the time he managed to fend off Ximen Kankan grew increasingly longer. Although Ximen Kankan suppressed his Inner Breath Realm, his Saber Technique remained at a Great Success Realm. Even as Duan Rong attempted uncanny moves, Ximen Kankan easily countered them and invariably retaliated against Duan Rong without fail.

Duan Rong understood clearly that apart from Ximen Kankan’s higher realm, the Ximen Family’s Saber Technique was indeed exquisite, far superior to ordinary Martial Arts!

That morning, Duan Rong visited Snow Hidden Residence again.

In the past few days, Duan Rong frequently entered and exited the West Gate Mansion, and the gatekeeper servants were already familiar with him, knowing he was a friend of the Ximen Family’s Young Master and treated him with respect.

Duan Rong walked into Snow Hidden Residence on his own, noticing that today Ximen Kankan wasn’t being strange, but rather sat properly at the table drinking tea. Duan Rong became alert; when things appear abnormal, there’s often mischief ahead, and this lad is likely scheming something shady.

Sure enough, as soon as Ximen Kankan saw Duan Rong enter, he immediately jumped off the Grandmaster’s Chair, sneakily came over, and pulled out a small green porcelain bottle from his sleeve, holding it up before Duan Rong.

Duan Rong looked at Ximen Kankan cautiously, asking, "What’s this?"

Ximen Kankan chuckled, lowering his voice, "Your Dragon Flame Fat has arrived!"

Duan Rong’s expression changed, reaching out to grab the porcelain bottle, but Ximen Kankan swiftly moved his hand, a lingering shadow flashed, and the bottle returned to his sleeve.

Ximen Kankan folded his arms, swaggered over to the table, sat back down on the Grandmaster’s Chair, sipping tea, but his eyes occasionally glanced towards Duan Rong.

Duan Rong smiled slightly and sat opposite Ximen Kankan at the table, saying, "Kankan, this medicine, my friend urgently needs it."

Ximen Kankan continued sipping tea, pretending not to hear, deliberately ignoring Duan Rong.

"I know. During the sparring these few days, I still owe you two erotic paintings that haven’t been fulfilled. I’ll draw them for you now!"

"Alright! You said it! Draw them right now!" Ximen Kankan jumped off the Grandmaster’s Chair, shouted at Duan Rong, "However, I have one requirement."

"What requirement?" For some reason, every time Ximen Kankan mentioned a requirement, Duan Rong’s eyelid twitched.

"I must appear in the drawing myself!" Ximen Kankan said.

Duan Rong instantly understood Ximen Kankan’s meaning, and his expression turned unpleasant, feeling a bit disgusted. But Ximen Kankan still shamelessly raised his chubby face high, looking at him without any sense of shame.

Where does this kid’s wickedness stem from? He’s practically a world-class Demon King.

Duan Rong’s expression was somewhat awkward, saying, "Is this... really necessary?"

"If you don’t agree, you can forget about taking the Dragon Flame Fat." Ximen Kankan appeared to have Duan Rong firmly in his grip.

Duan Rong was determined to acquire the Dragon Flame Fat; even if it meant swallowing a fly, he had no choice but to swallow it down. However, the thought of drawing Ximen Kankan naked made him feel even more disgusted than eating a fly.

Duan Rong reluctantly waved his hand, his expression unpleasant, weakly saying, "Fine, I’ll draw! I’ll draw it for you right now..."

Ximen Kankan had already prepared the brush, ink, paper, inkstone, and dyes on the table, then moved a stool to sit at the hall entrance, keeping watch, leaving Duan Rong alone there to paint.

As Duan Rong mixed the dyes, he mentally prepared himself.

"This is art... art..."

"Human skin is the most beautiful clothing..."

"Calm, calm..."

"Nude art is a realistic depiction of the body’s beauty, balance, rhythm, and harmony..."

Despite his initial mental resistance before painting, once Duan Rong entered the state of painting, his long-cultivated focus immediately emerged...

Duan Rong’s eyes were fixed, with delicate brush strokes. It took almost half an hour to finish the painting.

Looking at the completed artwork, Duan Rong nodded in satisfaction, put down the brush, and beckoned to Ximen Kankan sitting at the door.

Ximen Kankan instantly jumped over, stared at the table, and saw the painting’s background was this very hall, Duan Rong drawing on the spot.

In the painting, a graceful woman was half-reclining on a chair, while a short and plump person stood behind her, one hand resting on the woman’s waist.

Looking at the face of the person, it was indeed Ximen Kankan.

The woman in the painting had her black hair draped over her shoulders, looked back wolfishly at Ximen Kankan, eyes filled with allure...

Ximen Kankan watched intently, held the painting up from the table, standing beside Duan Rong, marveling and continuously praising it...

Just then, suddenly, a silhouette entered from the hall door, solemnly calling, "Kankan!"