Chapter 117: Refining the Heart in the Brothel

Xu Boqing’s eyes flickered slightly. He leaned in toward Wu Qin and whispered, "Since the Matriarch of your household wishes for Young Master Xing to cultivate in the mortal world, I suspect it is also because she hopes he might adjust his personality..."

"Indeed, indeed..."

Wu Qin stroked his handlebar mustache and nodded sagely. "The Matriarch does indeed have such intentions."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk..."

Xu Boqing clicked his tongue. "In my observation, Young Master Xing’s temperament is a result of long-term isolation. It has become a habit over time, and I fear he may even have developed a psychological barrier against socializing—what is commonly known as a mental illness."

"Young Master Xu has eyes like torches!"

Wu Qin’s eyes lit up. He nodded repeatedly as he looked at him. "Since you can identify the root of my young master's condition, I wonder if you have a prescription to cure it?"

"Since it is a heart-centered illness, it must be treated by the heart," Xu Boqing said with a grave expression. "The biggest problem for Young Master Xing now is his lack of understanding of worldly affairs, combined with his resistance to communication. We must start there!"

Wu Qin’s heart hammered in his chest. He felt more and more that this Young Master Xu was no ordinary person, and he quickly asked, "We are not well-versed in the ways of this mortal world. Could Young Master Xu point us toward a clear path?"

"You are too kind. I felt an instant connection with Young Master Xing, and I have had a very pleasant conversation with you as well, Elder Wu. It is only right that I help the young master resolve the knot in his heart."

Xu Boqing pondered for a moment before saying, "I have a place in mind. It is thick with the smoke and fire of the mortal world, filled with stories, and the people there are all exceptionally clever and adept at social interaction. Even the most wooden person, after spending time there, would come to understand the three flavors of life. Even iron would be tempered into something as soft as a finger-wrapping silk upon leaving..."

"Hiss... there is such a treasure trove?"

Wu Qin drew a sharp breath through his teeth. He turned serious and said, "I beg Young Master Xu to teach me. If my young master can change his situation in the future, I, Wu Qin, will certainly remember this great kindness."

"You are being too formal..."

Xu Boqing glanced at Long Xing, then leaned close to his ear and whispered, "The place I speak of is a brothel..."

"A... a brothel?"

Wu Qin’s eyes widened. Even with his limited knowledge of the world, he knew what kind of place a brothel was in this mortal realm...

"Desperate times call for desperate measures!"

Xu Boqing said solemnly, "With Young Master Xing’s current demeanor, a gentle, step-by-step approach is unlikely to open his heart. At a time like this, one must use a heavy hand!"

"This... desperate times call for desperate measures..."

Wu Qin muttered, his brows knitted tightly together. After some consideration, he felt there was logic in these words...

But...

The Dragon King had ordered him to bring the Prince into the mortal world to cultivate. If he found out that he had taken the Prince to a brothel, would he mistake it for taking the Prince there to indulge in pleasure?

What if he corrupted the Prince?

If any harm came to the Prince, the Dragon King would likely shatter his turtle shell to pieces...

At this thought, he couldn't help but shiver, but then he remembered...

The Dragon King had sent the Prince to cultivate in the mortal world. Although his words were absolute—that the Prince was not to return to the palace until he realized the opportunity to become a true dragon—he had also instructed him privately not to be overly forceful, and that it would be best if the Prince could make more friends and change his temperament...

Furthermore...

The Prince is the Crown Prince of the Dragon Palace...

Actually, the Dragon King is the one who least wants the Prince to be so shy, and he is the one who most hopes for the Prince to make a change!

Besides, there are countless beautiful clam maidens and fish-folk in the Dragon Palace, yet the Prince doesn't give them a second glance...

To this day, he is still... well... let us not speak of it...

A brothel is merely a place of fleeting pleasure in the mortal world, filled with withered flowers and fallen leaves. While they are clever and good at communication, how could they possibly corrupt the Prince?

That's it...

The main goal is to stop the Prince from resisting communication!

In that case, a brothel really is a wonderful place!

Wu Qin nodded with an expression of sudden realization. He now accepted that the brothel was a good place, and he clapped his hands excitedly. "Young Master Xu’s words have awakened a dreamer! You are truly my teacher!"

"Too formal, too formal..."

Xu Boqing cupped his hands and sighed. "I originally intended to act as host and treat you both, but I have many worldly affairs to attend to in the capital and must return, so I cannot stay long..."

He finished with a sigh: "A pity, truly a pity..."

"No matter, no matter..."

Wu Qin quickly comforted him. "Young Master Xu, please go attend to your business. There will be plenty of time in the future. Once I have resolved my young master's condition, I will certainly go to the capital to find you and share a drink!"

With that, he dispelled the sound-insulation spell around them.

"It is settled then!"

Xu Boqing cupped his hands, gave him a meaningful look, and then walked over to Long Xing with a smile. "Brother Long, I have some matters to attend to in this mortal world and cannot stay long. I hope you will forgive me!"

Ao Xing was so nervous when he saw him approaching that his body tensed up. Although his heart was pounding, he managed to put away his folding fan and cup his hands in return. "Brother Xu, you are too kind."

"I felt an instant connection with you, Brother Long."

Xu Boqing seemed to think of something amusing. He walked up, draped an arm around his shoulder, raised an eyebrow, and laughed: "If there is an opportunity in the future, we must share a drink."

"..."

Ao Xing felt his body tremble at the display of intimacy. He instinctively wanted to resist...

But then he thought...

He felt that the other party’s display of closeness was likely because he considered him a friend. If he showed too much resistance, wouldn't that chill his heart? Would it not be a breach of etiquette?

His face and neck flushed red. He hunched his shoulders and nodded in a flustered manner. "It is only right, it is only right. We shall certainly drink until we are drunk in the future..."

"..."

Wu Qin, standing to the side, was so shocked that he pulled out a few strands of his mustache. Seeing Young Master Xu looking over with a raised eyebrow, he realized that the man was setting an example for him...

He nodded in understanding, feeling even more convinced that the theory of "desperate times call for desperate measures" was correct.

"It’s a deal then!"

Xu Boqing patted his shoulder. "Just come to the capital whenever you have time. I will host, and we shall not stop until we are drunk!"

"Certainly... certainly..."

"Then I shall take my leave. Farewell."

"..."

Ao Xing watched Xu Boqing’s retreating back, then looked at his own shoulder, and asked in a low voice: "Wu Qin, are all cultivators of the mortal world as enthusiastic as Brother Xu?"

"They are only enthusiastic toward friends..."

Wu Qin leaned in and smiled. "This Young Master Xu is a remarkable person. Not only is his background impressive, but his vision is extraordinary, and he has his own principles for conducting himself... Since he has shown an interest in befriending us, you should make an effort to get close to him, young master."

"I am not a fool; I can see that..."

Ao Xing glanced at him, then asked, as if thinking of something: "By the way, what were you two whispering about behind my back just now?"

"Nothing, nothing..."

Wu Qin raised an eyebrow and smiled sheepishly. "The Matriarch sent you into the world to cultivate, and since we are unfamiliar with this mortal realm, I was merely asking Young Master Xu, who has wandered the world for many years, about places suitable for cultivation."

"Oh?"

Ao Xing raised his brows. "And did you find one?"

"I found an excellent place for cultivation!"

Wu Qin’s eyes flickered. "That place is thick with the smoke and fire of the mortal world and filled with stories. For those who cultivate, it is especially good for tempering the heart. It is not far from here. Would you like to go and gain some experience, young master?"

"..."

Ao Xing pondered, his gaze sharpening...

He thought that the sooner he cultivated and realized the opportunity to become a dragon, the sooner he could return to the palace, and his mother would have no excuse to kick him out again.

At this thought, he was filled with the drive to cultivate. He nodded solemnly and said: "Since it concerns cultivation, of course I will go! I must go! Let us go now!"

"Let’s go..."

Wu Qin chuckled, and the two suddenly vanished from sight.