Chapter 33: A Discarded Business Plan Regarding Tian Boguang

Before Tian Boguang could finish his sentence, a streak of white light erupted within the room. By the time Yilin reacted, Wang Jingyuan already held his sword; she had not even seen him draw it.

Tian Boguang, still seated in his chair, began to bleed profusely from his arms and legs. It was clear that in that split second, Wang Jingyuan had severed all of his tendons.

Wiping the blade clean, Wang Jingyuan found not a trace of blood. Satisfied that his mastery of the "Evil-Dispelling Sword Manual" had improved significantly since he first began, he sheathed his sword and sat down opposite Tian Boguang. "You see, a man ought to keep a clear head and not be ruled by desire. Now that you are free from those cravings, has your wisdom not returned to the high ground?"

Facing death, Tian Boguang remained indifferent. "Wine, lust, wealth, and pride—how many can truly see through them? I find a rare peace now, devoid of fear or worry, though I know it is only temporary. Should I survive this and recover, I would soon return to my old ways."

A faint purple hue flickered across Wang Jingyuan’s face as he reached out and pressed his hand against Tian Boguang’s dantian. Back when he used to read martial arts novels, Wang had always found it confusing: the same internal energy, when channeled into a friend to save them, acted like adrenaline, but when channeled into an enemy during a clash, it acted like cyanide.

Now that he practiced internal alchemy himself, he finally understood. Internal energy was like water; if it flowed gently, it was a source of life that nourished the spirit. But if one increased the pressure and added a bit of grit, it transformed into an invincible weapon.

Such was the case now.

Though Wang Jingyuan’s internal energy was shallow, Tian Boguang had been so thoroughly broken that he lacked even the strength to resist. Without a shred of defiance, his dantian was shattered by Wang’s internal force.

Blood seeped from the corner of Tian Boguang’s mouth as he looked at Wang Jingyuan, breathless and weak. "You severed my tendons and destroyed my cultivation. If you did not intend to spare me, then you must intend to torture me. At least let me understand—do we have a grudge?"

Wang Jingyuan shook his head. "No grudge, no enmity. Yet, I will still kill you."

Tian Boguang wanted to say more, but the door to the private room was pushed open. Linghu Chong entered, his hair still damp; it seemed he had successfully quelled his desires with a cold bath.

Seeing Tian Boguang soaked in blood, Linghu Chong hurried over. "Brother Tian, what has happened to you?"

Tian Boguang smiled at him. "I am simply dying."

Linghu Chong checked Tian Boguang’s injuries and looked at Wang Jingyuan. "Junior Brother, Brother Tian is, in his own way, a straightforward man. Furthermore, he spared me once before. Now that you have crippled his martial arts, could you not show mercy and spare his life?"

Wang Jingyuan looked at Linghu Chong and pondered for a moment. After all, Linghu Chong was the protagonist, destined to be a whirlwind that would stir the martial world; there would surely be benefits to gain from him in the future.

Building favor with him now would do nothing but good. He nodded and agreed, "Very well, I shall grant Senior Brother this favor."

With that, Wang Jingyuan placed his hand on Tian Boguang. A purple hue appeared on his face once more, causing Linghu Chong to start in shock. He had seen Yue Buqun execute the "Purple Mist Divine Skill."

The Purple Mist was the premier technique among the nine arts of Mount Hua, a treasure of the sect that only the sect leader could study. Now that Junior Brother Wang had been taught it by their master, did it mean he had already been chosen as the next successor?

Linghu Chong had no ambition for the position of sect leader, so he felt no jealousy, merely astonishment that his junior brother had been designated so soon after joining the sect.

Before he could dwell on it, he was startled by the sound of Tian Boguang’s corpse hitting the floor.

[Purple Mist Divine Skill proficiency +20]

Linghu Chong stared at the lifeless body of Tian Boguang, stunned. Yilin was equally shocked; even though Tian Boguang had intended to violate her, she was a person of such saintly compassion that she had never wished for his death.

Linghu Chong looked at Wang Jingyuan in bewilderment. When he heard Wang agree to spare Tian, he assumed that even when he saw the purple energy, Wang was merely using it to heal him. Because he was distracted by the shock of Wang having learned the secret skill, he had failed to notice the lethal intent behind the energy until it was too late.

"Junior Brother!" Linghu Chong demanded. "Did you not promise to spare Brother Tian?!"

Wang Jingyuan nodded. "That is correct. I did spare him. I used my internal energy to shatter his heart meridians directly. He died most peacefully, without suffering a bit of pain. Senior Brother, remember that you owe me a favor."

Linghu Chong was baffled. "Your definition of sparing him is to kill him outright?!"

Wang Jingyuan replied as if it were obvious. "Of course. Do you have any idea what a high-value target this Tian Boguang is? I originally intended to keep him alive, and then..."

He glanced at Yilin. "You, cover your ears and go to the inner room. You little nun are famous for your inability to keep a secret, and your memory is far too good. You cannot be allowed to hear my business plan."

Yilin was a pushover, doing exactly as she was told. Only after she had retreated did Wang Jingyuan continue:

"I was going to rent a storefront here in Hengyang. Then, I would hire some sturdy men. Anyone willing to pay could enter and watch how Tian Boguang is treated. I could offer tiered packages: single viewers, groups, rotating turns, or all at once. If the price was right, I wouldn't even rule out animals."

"Even though he was at the end of his rope today, he could have earned me a fortune before he finally died. Furthermore, if he were on his last legs, the rights to execute him could be auctioned off, as could the rights to dispose of his corpse. After all, many of the women he ruined were from families of wealthy, well-known merchants, were they not?"

As Wang Jingyuan ticked these points off on his fingers, Linghu Chong staggered back two steps, staring at him in disbelief. He had never imagined such a vicious person could exist.

"Junior Brother Wang... you... you are a disciple of Mount Hua."

Wang Jingyuan nodded. "I am, I know. Our sect’s current flagship product is Master’s reputation as the 'Gentleman Sword.' Therefore, this plan must be executed under a different brand; we cannot allow any wear and tear on Master’s title. This must be done in the name of the Fuwei Escort Agency."

He pointed downward, where they could faintly hear Lin Pingzhi shouting promotions. "The drugs Tian Boguang took belong to the Fuwei Escort Agency. The payment to the Qunyu Pavilion was made via bank drafts issued to them. Even this private room was booked by Young Master Lin in advance."

"Today’s clever capture of Tian Boguang was entirely the work of the Fuwei Escort Agency; we were merely bystanders who happened to help. Therefore, how they choose to dispose of Tian Boguang is entirely their own business."

Linghu Chong’s expression turned to one of horror, his finger trembling as he tried to speak.

Wang Jingyuan understood. "I see, you think I’m setting up the Fuwei Escort Agency, don’t you? How could you think that of me?! Little Lin is our junior brother, and the agency is our strategic partner. I only had them step forward because they have no 'gentlemanly' image or corporate culture to uphold—they are just a simple escort agency."

"Even if people see or hear of this, they will only say that the young master is resourceful, the chief is righteous, and the agency is ridding the world of evil. It will only bolster their reputation. It is a win-win situation."

Wang Jingyuan winked at Linghu Chong. "I have abandoned such a promising business venture all for your sake, Senior Brother. How do you intend to thank me?"