How To Polish A Pearl

Chapter 71 - Changing

"My sect is long forgotten in the martial arts world. It was called Four Seasons Manor, but I haven't been there in a long time."

Hearing the name Four Seasons Manor, a small seed is planted in a hidden place within Wen Ke Xing's mind. The place that has been wiped clean by the water of Lethe. The seed slowly sprouts and starts to grow roots, waiting to grow big enough for Wen Ke Xing to take notice.

"Four Seasons Manor..." Xiaotao looks like he is trying to remember if he has heard it before. Shaking his head, he continues, "I don't believe I have heard of it, but then again, I know very little of the martial arts world outside Ghost Valley. Was it very beautiful?"

"For me, it is the most beautiful place in the world." A warm smile spreads across his face and for a moment, his gaze is distant, "It is located at the top of a waterfall with a view of blossoming trees as far as the eye could see. The air always carried the scent of either cherry blossoms, peach blossoms or plum blossoms. It is the smell of home for me."

Thinking about Zhou Xu's words, Xiaotao thinks back to where he had found him at the far end of the hot spring the night before. He looked ethereal next to the waterfall, his hair blowing gently in the breeze and his gaze far across the valley. "So that is why you like the view from the hot spring?"

Zhou Xu turns to look at the man sitting next to him. The man that is asking him personal questions that he is not sure he is ready for Wen Ke Xing to ask him. The man that is either brave enough or stupid enough to bring up that moment in front of the Guzhu. "Yes, that is part of the reason. I miss standing at the top of the waterfall, listening to the sound and watching the river snake its way through the orchards. I used to find it very soothing." A part of him is actually grateful for giving him an indirect way of telling a few things to Wen Ke Xing without opening Pandora's box.

With his experience, Xiaotao can sense the tension in the room caused by these questions, yet he can't help himself, like he can't control his curiosity or his mouth. The Nu Zhuren is captivating and beautiful, and after all, they had bought him for a full day. Presumably that means that they will enjoy him at some point so that he would either get to taste that silky skin or he would be tasted by those lips. "You said that you haven't been back in a long time. Where did you go to?"

Lecherous Ghost doesn't know if he should try to stop the stupid man or if he should let him dig his own grave. Asking Nu Zhuren about his past was certain to end with death by Guzhu.

As much as Wen Ke Xing loathes Xiaotao, he must admit that he is getting information that he has not dared to ask yet. No matter how curious he has been, he didn't want to bring back those memories of being captured and forced through that wedding. He wanted Zhou Xu to share it himself, share whatever he remembers. Looking at the two men talking about Zhou Xu's past, he feels robbed. This is something that they should be talking about just the two of them. Not sharing this with others, and specifically−not be sharing with that ant.

Smiling, Zhou Xu turns towards Xiaotao and raises one eyebrow, "I don't know. Do you know where you are from? Were you not forced to drink the water?"

Feeling the shift in response from Nu Zhuren, Xiaotao sidesteps smoothly by taking a sip of wine, suggestively licking the liquor from his lips before he continues, "Of course, we all remember and forget different parts of our lives. Your home sounded so beautiful I was curious as to why you would have left it."

Zhou Xu looks straight into those sparkling phoenix eyes. Xiaotao's face has been carefully adjusted to project a soft and inviting allure. He is also clearly showing Zhou Xu that he is pleased to have been bought to spend the full day and night.

Not caring about whatever is going on between the flower beauty and Zhou Xu, Lecherous Ghost changes to subject by asking Wen Ke Xing how the inspections had gone continuing to praise him for being 'a strong Guzhu that cares for his ghosts'. For the duration of the breakfast there are no more questions about anyone's past.

The breakfast proceeds as anticipated. The formal and usual toasts are all made in the expected manner and by the expected ghosts. In the midst of all the marble smiles, unexpected personal discussions and expected superficial discussion, Zhou Xu watches the three ghosts around the table, filing all the details and gestures away in his very clear mind.

Because they are not filling the cups themselves, no one is actually keeping track of the fact that Zhou Xu's cup is always filled by a specific servant and from specific wine bottles. No one besides him, and of course the servant, is aware that the wine bottle contains tea. The servers have been paid and instructed on what, where and how often to fill each of the four peoples cups.

He had woken up in the middle of the night, shortly after falling asleep, with a million thoughts surging through his head. One thing had been crystal clear, and that was that he had to change the plan.

Zhou Xu was not surprised at how easy it had been to bribe Shanyuan last night to carry out the breakfast as he had requested. Not that he had told Shanyuan the real reason for wanting to pretend to drink wine or why he wanted the area cleared around the pavilion. All he had done was suggest that he wanted to be clear headed when he did what he wanted to do to Xiaotao and hint that they didn't want anyone around to hear their specific taste in the planned threesome. This type of establishment was used to privacy requirements, especially considering location and clientele, and for various different reasons Shanyuan didn't want nor needed to know the details. It was after all the Guzhu.

Feeling that the breakfast is drawing towards the end, he signals the servants who instantly and discretely, leaves the pavilion. Zhou Xu stands up and walks around the table towards the open doors, confirming that the guards have also left their pavilion, clearing the surroundings of ghosts.

He turns, a smile on his face, and watches Lecherous Ghost stand up and wobble a bit before steadying himself. Shortly after, Xiaotao stands up as well, even though he is not leaving. When both guests are standing, Zhou Xu closes the door and walks back towards them, widening the smile on his face.

As he walks past Lecherous Ghost, he hits one of his acupuncture points and then instantly draws Bai Yi. The tip was supposed to be pointing to and located at the same place where it had left a wound the night before. Though the tip is aimed at the right spot, it is against those familiar pale fingers of his Guzhu. They stare at each other as the devils falls with a thud to the floor behind them, one with a sword pointed at Xiaotao and the other with his hands around Xiaotao's neck.

"Ah-Xu, don't you think it's about time that you fill me in on the new plan?"

(￣︶￣;)