He obtained the God of All Laws from human skin.

Chapter 108 The Beauty Trap

Chapter 108 The Beauty Trap

Knowing that Qin Chuan was asking about his past experiences, the old master stopped, sighed, and said, "Back in the day, during the academy's preliminary exams, everyone had to write and submit a poem. Feng Shu wasn't good at poetry, so he asked me for help, but I refused..."

'

Qin Chuan then asked, "Then why did you return to Qinghe County to teach?"

"This matter is related to the disaster that struck Minzhou back then." The old master shook his head, a bitter smile appearing on his lips. "Back then, I was young and impulsive. Seeing those disaster victims made me feel bad, so I thought I would do my part for them."

"But after all, manpower is limited, so I thought of the prefect and went to see him. The prefect did see me, but after listening to what I had to say, he just waved his hand and said that the prefecture was in financial difficulty and had no money or food to provide relief. He also said that the court's disaster relief funds had not yet been allocated, and that he was like a skilled cook without rice to cook."

At this point, the old scholar took a deep breath. "I believed it then. But two days later, the prefect's mother celebrated her birthday with a grand banquet that lasted for seven days and seven nights. I saw with my own eyes several servants hauling out buckets of swill on carts. Meanwhile, the disaster victims were eating tree bark and chewing grass roots outside the city walls, unable to even get a bowl of thin porridge."

"Seeing such a scene, how could I possibly restrain myself?" The old scholar chuckled. "That very night, I returned to the academy and wrote a satirical essay. I copied it several times and posted it on several city gates of the prefecture..."

"When I was young, I thought I was speaking out for justice. I thought that once this article was published, the prefect would be ashamed and would open the granaries to distribute food, and would send the discarded food to the disaster victims. But what happened? What I got in return was not the prefect opening the granaries to distribute food, but the yamen runners."

"The bailiff knocked on my door and said that the prefect had ordered that Zhou Ran, who had spread rumors and slandered an official of the court, be expelled from the prefectural city and never allowed to enter the prefectural school again."

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After saying this, the old master sighed heavily, his face full of a bitter smile.

"Do you regret it?" Qin Chuan asked.

The old master did not answer directly, but instead asked, "If it were you, would you regret it?"

Qin Chuan shook his head: "What's done is done, there's no use in regretting it, so I never regret what has already happened."

"Alas," the old scholar sighed, "that's true."

"Has the Master's academic title been revoked?"

No.

"Then why doesn't the teacher continue to pursue officialdom?"

Hearing this question, the old scholar looked at Qin Chuan with some surprise. Qin Chuan continued to ask, "Is the old scholar afraid of that prefect?"

The old scholar shook his head: "Don't worry. Besides, that prefect has already been transferred and is no longer in office."

"Then why not take the exam?"

The old scholar remained silent for a moment, then slowly spoke: "After that incident, my spirit was shattered. Even if I passed the exam, what would be the point of standing in that courtroom?"

Upon hearing this, Qin Chuan smiled and said, "Master, in my opinion, you are regretting it."

The old master frowned: "I said I don't regret it."

"You say you don't regret it, but you've been regretting it in your heart for a long time." Qin Chuan looked at him. "Back then, the fault wasn't yours, but that prefect's. He's the one who should be ashamed, he's the one who should regret it. And you, you've carried his burden for half your life, squandering your own pride. Isn't that regret? Regret that you shouldn't have written that article? Regret that you shouldn't have stood up for him?"

Qin Chuan paused, then continued, "Master, if you firmly believe that you were right to write that essay back then, you should continue to pursue officialdom. If you pass the exams and become an official, then if you encounter the same situation again, you can stand up with dignity and demand that the granaries be opened to distribute grain, instead of having to write an essay and post it on the city gate, only to be driven out as you did back then..."

Hearing Qin Chuan's words, the old master wanted to say something, but didn't know how to begin.

After a moment, he sighed, looked at Qin Chuan, and asked, "How did you come up with this idea?"

Qin Chuan smiled and said, "Master, didn't I say that what's done is done, and there's no use in regretting it? Since we can't change the past, all we can do is change the future."

After parting ways with the old master, Qin Chuan went to Heaven and Earth.

On the way, he also opened his interface and glanced at it: [Occupation: Fortune Thief]

[Level: 1v1 (411/500)]

[Professional Skills: Obtaining Titles, Perceiving Luck]

This skill level has increased a little more.

As for the source, it was naturally because Qin Chuan had previously asked Feng Shu for a seal, asking, "Will we both pass the imperial examination this time?" It was a pity that he did not get a definite answer, and he did not know how things would develop.

There's also the matter of Zheng Ding. The two sides have already made an agreement to meet at the back door of the Tomorrow Fragrance Pavilion to connect him with Xiaoxiaosheng.

But where in this world is there any Xiaoxiaosheng? Xiaoxiaosheng is him, he is Xiaoxiaosheng.

He couldn't meet Zheng Ding in his true form, but he also couldn't just find someone to impersonate him. Besides, if they talked about paintings, he would easily be exposed, and then all his efforts to hide it would be for nothing.

After much thought, he decided that he himself had to do it.

However, he cannot use Qin Chuan's identity; he must change his appearance, his name, and his identity.

Fortunately, he has the profession of "dresser" and his level has been raised to Iv3. With a careful makeover, Zheng Ding should not be able to tell.

The next day, Qin Chuan also spent a lot of time busy inside the house. When he came out again, he had changed his appearance.

He looked to be around thirty years old, with a thin face and a touch of the gentleness of a scholar. He wore a square scarf on his head, a half-new bluish-gray robe, a cloth belt around his waist, and black cloth shoes. He carried a rattan painting box containing brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, and several scrolls. He looked like an ordinary painter.

He examined himself in the bronze mirror one last time, making sure he couldn't even recognize himself anymore. Only then did he nod in satisfaction, pick up his painting box, and push open the door to leave.

The back door of Xiangmanlou.

Qin Chuan stopped at the door, placed the painting box at his feet, straightened his clothes, and then gently knocked three times on the door.

A short while later, the door creaked open a crack, and a servant poked half his head out.

He sized Qin Chuan up and down, his gaze lingering on his attire and the painting box at his feet, before asking, "Who are you looking for?"

Qin Chuan cupped his hands in greeting: "Please inform them that Xiaoxiaosheng has come to visit and has an appointment with Sister Feng."

"Xiaoxiaosheng?" The servant was taken aback, feeling as if he had heard the name somewhere before. Then he remembered, and his eyes lit up: "You're Mr. Xiao? The Xiaoxiaosheng who draws erotic pictures?"

Qin Chuan was somewhat surprised to hear this. It seemed that Xiaoxiaosheng's name was more famous than he had imagined. Even a servant in a brothel knew him.

When the servant realized that the person in front of him was Xiaoxiaosheng, he did not hesitate at all and immediately ran into the house to call for help. A moment later, Sister Feng led several people over.

Upon seeing Qin Chuan, he immediately came over and said, "You must be Xiaoxiaosheng? Oh my, seeing is believing! You are a man of great talent and imposing presence. Everyone says that Mr. Xiao's painting skills are superb, and seeing you today, I can see that your demeanor is beyond the reach of ordinary people."

Qin Chuan nodded slightly and cupped his hands in a gesture of respect: "You flatter me. I am but a humble painter, and I dare not accept such praise."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Sister Feng led him upstairs to the second floor and then into a room.

The room was elegantly furnished, with a landscape painting on the screen, a pot of orchids on the table, and a faint scent of agarwood burning in the incense burner, with wisps of smoke rising from it.

Once inside, Sister Feng didn't rush to call the girls over. Instead, she poured a cup of tea, presented it to Qin Chuan with both hands, and then sat down opposite him, starting to chat with him about everyday things.

"Where are you from, Mr. Xiao? Your accent doesn't sound like a local." Sister Feng asked with a smile. Qin Chuan picked up his teacup, took a sip, and didn't reply.

Sister Feng wasn't embarrassed and changed the subject: "Young Master Xiao, besides painting, what other pastimes do you enjoy? Do you like listening to music? We have a new girl here who sings folk songs; she has a very good voice—"

Qin Chuan put down his teacup and looked calmly at Sister Feng. He naturally knew what Sister Feng was thinking. She wanted to find out Xiao Xiaosheng's background and see if they could bypass Qin Chuan and cooperate alone. Normally, Qin Chuan would not mind chatting with her for a while, but Zheng Ding was coming later, so he should deal with it as soon as possible.

"Enough with the small talk. I'm here today only to draw. Bring the girls over."

Upon hearing this, Sister Feng showed a hint of embarrassment, but quickly recovered and said repeatedly, "Okay, okay, okay. I'll call them over right away."

As she spoke, she stepped outside. A moment later, Sister Feng led a group of beautiful women in, their fragrance filling the air.

Qin Chuan was stunned for a moment when he saw them. The group of women in front of him were dressed in a very refreshing and daring way. They wore thin gauze and light silk, their shoulders were half exposed, and the curves and roundness of their breasts were clearly visible. A dozen or so women were crammed into a room, their jewelry jingling and their skirts rustling, looking like a group of flamboyant butterflies that had been thrown into a cage.

Qin Chuan looked at Sister Feng and asked, "According to the previous agreement, isn't this a bit too many people?"

Sister Feng immediately leaned closer and said softly, "Young Master Xiao, these girls have all heard of your reputation and have come specifically to admire your charm. Please let them stay."

As they spoke, at Sister Feng's signal, the group of women rushed over to Qin Chuan. Some served tea, some poured wine, some massaged his shoulders, and some simply sat down next to him, their gentle words and fragrant scents making one dizzy.

"Young Master Xiao, please let us stay."

"Yes, Young Master Xiao, I've wanted to see you for so long."

"Young Master, please let me stay. I'm willing to do anything."

Looking at the beautiful women around him, Qin Chuan instantly realized that this was a blatant honey trap!

"You're willing to do anything as long as you stay?"

The women immediately replied, "Yes, we're willing to do anything."

"Whatever the young master says goes."

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"As long as I can stay, I'll do anything you ask, young master."

"Alright, since you want to stay," Qin Chuan nodded, looking at Sister Feng, "Let's add some money, ten taels of silver per painting."

""