"Yes!" Zhou Hu nodded heavily.
The residence, after being confiscated, would definitely be bestowed upon other officials by the Emperor in the future.
Everything inside the residence could be taken at this time.
This included tables, chairs, benches, rare flowers and plants, calligraphy, paintings, beds, and so on... This kind of thing was very common during Embroidered Uniform Guard's confiscations, and Lu Zhenghai was not the only one who did it.
As for why his boss was so serious about just one bed? And why did he have to do it himself?
Zhou Hu wouldn't ponder the reasons.
He only knew that if his boss gave an order, he would complete it one hundred percent.
"Out of the 50,000 taels of silver notes, I'll take 30,000 taels myself. The five of you Squad Leaders will each get 4,000 taels. As for how much of that 4,000 taels you distribute to your respective ten Captain (xiaowei) below you, that's your business. After all, no one should return empty-handed after confiscating a home." Lu Zhenghai took out 20,000 taels from the 50,000 taels of silver notes Qian Sheng had given him earlier and handed them to Zhou Hu.
"Guaranteed to complete the mission!" Zhou Hu was incredibly excited.
This was his first time participating in a confiscation, and as a Squad Leader at that.
No wonder everyone in the Embroidered Uniform Guard was scrambling to execute confiscation missions.
There was real profit!
He thought to himself, if it was 4,000 taels, he would take 2,000 taels himself, and the 10 Captain (xiaowei) under him would each get 200 taels.
Good heavens!
2,000 taels! An astronomical figure!
If he were a Captain (xiaowei) before, it would take him decades to save up that amount, right?
Now, following his boss as a Squad Leader, he got it instantly just by confiscating a home.
Awesome!
He secretly vowed to be absolutely loyal to his boss. Without his boss, how could he possibly become a Squad Leader?
"You personally deliver Hei Zhu's share."
After giving another instruction, Lu Zhenghai left Gao Residence.
He now had 50 spirit gathering pills and 4 dragon essence pills in his possession, exchanged with points, but not yet used.
His money had reached 80,000 taels; he was truly wealthy!
Of the 80,000 taels, 50,000 taels were a thank you from Pei Muwan, and 30,000 taels came from confiscating the Gao family's assets.
"Let's go to Guangming Auction House."
No matter how good money was, it was only useful if converted into Cultivation resources.
He wasn't a miser; strength was the ultimate Dao.
Still using an anonymous buying and selling method, he acquired a 470-year-old aged ginseng.
Yes, one aged ginseng, worth 80,000 taels.
The price was so exaggerated it made one's scalp tingle.
But it was worth it.
Anything over 100 years old was considered a great medicine. A 470-year-old great medicine was a formidable existence even among great medicines.
This great medicine would definitely help him achieve a significant Breakthrough in his Martial Dao Realm.
Lu Zhenghai couldn't wait. He told Liu Quan, "After you return to the Garrison, tell the Centurion Sir that I've had an epiphany and need to enter seclusion for Cultivation, which might take a few days."
After giving his instructions, Lu Zhenghai immediately returned to Lu Residence.
Upon arriving at Lu Residence, he heard from a Maidservant that Gao Yunran was already inside the residence.
Lu Zhenghai instructed the Maidservant: "Tell her all the rules of the residence, and then, before I emerge from seclusion, keep an eye on her and record all her unusual behavior. Additionally, inform the front courtyard that during my seclusion, any visitors are to be turned away."
He wasn't so lustful that he needed to immediately "consume" Gao Yunran.
After all, Gao Yunran had been tormented and despairing over the confiscation of the Gao family during this period, hardly eating, losing a lot of weight, and her complexion was weak, which somewhat affected her looks.
It was better to let her recuperate her body and complexion properly, reaching her Peak beauty before "consuming" her.
She was already in his bowl, so she couldn't run away.
Lu Zhenghai walked into the Cultivation room.
He immersed himself in Cultivation.
He consumed the 470-year-old aged ginseng great medicine in large mouthfuls.
The Supreme Primordial Cycle Technique was operating so vigorously it felt like it was about to smoke!
The Spiritual Qi brought by the great medicine was truly fierce.
It was only because he possessed the Supreme Primordial Cycle Technique; if it were the previous Sea-Absorbing Qi Swallowing Art, he probably wouldn't dare to consume such a great medicine.
Time flew by.
Three days later.
The great medicine, valued at 80,000 taels, was completely consumed.
Lu Zhenghai's spirit was excellent, his aura rippling and flowing, immensely powerful.
"Innate Realm third layer."
From the first layer to the third layer.
Don't think this is a small amount; after all, it's the Innate Realm. Even a minor Realm is as difficult as ascending to heaven, completely different from Breakthroughs in the Houtian Realm.
Take Chief Huang, for example; he had been stuck at the Innate Realm second layer for a full three years and still showed no signs of Breakthrough.
After all, Chief Huang certainly couldn't afford 80,000 taels to buy a great medicine.
"Innate Realm third layer. Among all the Banner Commanders in the Garrison, this is considered to be in the forefront."
The Martial Dao Realm of Banner Commanders generally ranged from Innate Realm first to fifth layer.
If speaking of actual combat power, he dared to say he was invincible among Banner Commanders, after all, he wielded the Heaven-Grade Martial Skill One Sword Flying Immortal!
"Continue Cultivating, it's time to comprehend the Supreme Primordial Cycle Technique!"
Internal Skill is the foundation of everything, a tool for absorbing Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi.
He had only just achieved Minor Achievement with the Supreme Primordial Cycle Technique.
If he achieved Major Achievement someday, his efficiency in absorbing Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi would be even higher.
Lu Zhenghai focused on Cultivating through Pay-to-win (kè jīn - spending money), not holding back at all. He swallowed three spirit gathering pills in one go, immersing himself in deduction and comprehension... Lu Residence.
Gao Yunran sat in the small garden of the main courtyard, holding Xiaobai, basking in the sun.
She had originally thought that as soon as she entered Lu Residence, she would have to warm the bed for that imperial lackey.
Lu Zhenghai was too detestable, pretending to be a gentleman. When her Gao Residence was being confiscated, she pleaded with her eyes, begging him to take her in as a Maidservant, but he ignored her from beginning to end.
In the end, didn't he still take her in? What a pretense, hehe... Lu Zhenghai, you imperial lackey, no matter how proper you pretend to be, you still can't escape this Young Miss's charm?
I knew it. I, Gao Yunran, am so beautiful; who can resist my tear-streaked face?
As Lu Zhenghai's only personal Maidservant, she now slept on the accompanying couch in the master bedroom every night.
These past few nights, she had Xiaobai for company.
"Xiaobai, just tell me, isn't your master a big pervert?" Gao Yunran stroked Xiaobai, asking softly.
Xiaobai didn't make a sound, lying with its four limbs in the air and its belly facing Gao Yunran.
Gao Yunran rubbed its belly: "Xiaobai, you're really too cute..."
She wondered where Lu Zhenghai got his connections to be able to buy such a special cat like Xiaobai?
Although small cats could be bought in the imperial city, those small cats were all somewhat different from Xiaobai.
Xiaobai's sky-blue eyes were truly unique.
After playing with Xiaobai for a while, Gao Yunran became a little sad again.
"My aunt, my third aunt, they must have been in the Imperial Entertainment and Discipline Department for several days now, right?"
Unfortunately, she couldn't save them.
She herself was saved by Lu Zhenghai, relying on her beautiful face and immense luck, which was not replicable.
Moreover, she knew in her heart that her uncle had privately sold military equipment, and he truly deserved his fate. Not being implicated to the ninth degree of kinship was already the Emperor's mercy. Confiscation and extermination of the family were expected.
"I can only hope to gain favor someday, save some silver, and have the servants in the front courtyard send it to the Imperial Entertainment and Discipline Department..."
This was the only thing she could do.
However, gaining favor? How to gain favor?
Does it mean... As she thought, Gao Yunran became a little lost in thought, and her face turned red.
She didn't notice that an unfamiliar Maidservant was watching her from afar, secretly, outside the main courtyard.
That unfamiliar Maidservant was Jade Orchid.
Jade Orchid immediately left after seeing what Gao Yunran looked like.
Returning to Wangshu Pavilion, Jade Orchid entered the living room of Wangshu Pavilion and saw that Young Miss was still leisurely drinking tea.
She was a little anxious: "Young Miss, there really is a vixen living in Young Master-in-law's main courtyard..."
A hint of disdain flashed in Jiang Chiyao's beautiful eyes: "You don't need to tell me about his affairs."
Jade Orchid was a little anxious: "That vixen is very beautiful." Then she added: "Of course, she's definitely not as beautiful as you, Young Miss. Few people in the entire world can compare to your beauty, Young Miss."
Seeing that Young Miss ignored her, Jade Orchid continued to mutter: "Young Miss, you... even if you don't want your pure body to be ruined by Young Master-in-law, you shouldn't humiliate him like that. At most, Young Miss, you could sacrifice a little and let him look at your feet, and then, in his excitement, he could take care of himself."
"Jade Orchid, what nonsense are you spouting?" Jiang Chiyao's face turned red, and she glared fiercely at Jade Orchid. She was a virgin, and Jade Orchid was actually saying such wild words in front of her? This audacious Maidservant really deserved a good lesson.
Jade Orchid was her personal Maidservant, and she would tell her many things.
No matter how much of a Prodigy Jiang Chiyao was, she was still a living person and couldn't truly be detached from worldly concerns.
Yes, she had already told Jade Orchid about Lu Zhenghai secretly looking at her feet that morning when he came to discuss "divorce" with her.
Her original intention was to gossip with Jade Orchid about Lu Zhenghai's perverted habit.
But Jade Orchid, this curious and slightly indecent girl, secretly obtained some erotic pictures from who knows where, the kind that contained many different positions.
Then, Jade Orchid herself vaguely understood why Young Master-in-law would secretly look at Young Miss's feet?
She specifically explained the knowledge points to Young Miss.
As a result, Jiang Chiyao somewhat understood, and naturally became even more ashamed and annoyed, wishing she could poke out that scoundrel Lu Zhenghai's eyes.
"Young Miss, you're really not jealous?"
"Jealous? Does that Lu Zhenghai deserve it? What else does he have besides that decent appearance?" Jiang Chiyao snorted.
Although she wasn't jealous, hearing that a vixen was living in his main courtyard still somehow made her a little displeased.
Perhaps it was because she still bore the title of his wife, after all!
That was all, nothing more. She wouldn't actually do anything. If Lu Zhenghai found out, wouldn't she be laughed at?
"It's time to go to Lu Family Sword Tomb." Jiang Chiyao stood up.
Holding a long sword, she was so sacred and exquisitely beautiful that it was dazzling. Indeed, even Jade Orchid, the Maidservant, was stunned.
Time continued to flow.
Another three days passed.
Inside the Cultivation room.
Lu Zhenghai awoke from Cultivation, a little excited.
"The Supreme Primordial Cycle Technique has finally reached Minor Achievement."
However, this excitement was immediately followed by a sigh: "50 spirit gathering pills, 47 used, only barely reaching Minor Achievement."
So difficult!
Minor Achievement was already this hard.
To achieve Major Achievement, it would probably require an astronomical amount of Martial Dao resources to be poured in.
"spirit gathering pills definitely won't work. To Cultivate the Supreme Primordial Cycle Technique to Major Achievement, I'll probably need enlightenment tea."
enlightenment tea was not just expensive; it was extraordinarily so.
So, he still had to make money!
Make money!!!
Lu Zhenghai circulated one cycle of Qi, and his face brightened with a smile again.
"Amazing! The Minor Achievement Supreme Primordial Cycle Technique is at least twice as efficient at absorbing Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi as the getting Started (rùmén - beginner) Supreme Primordial Cycle Technique."
Lu Zhenghai still did not emerge from seclusion.
Instead, he took out the 4 dragon essence pills.
"If I consume all the dragon essence pills, I should be able to Breakthrough one or two more minor Realms."
Time continued to flow.
It was a full five or six days later before he awoke from Cultivation.
He was a little tired.
Adding up all the time, he had Cultivated for over ten days, constantly straining his nerves. It was time to rest.
Lu Zhenghai stood up.
He felt his limbs and bones, nodding with satisfaction: "Anything associated with the word 'Dragon' is awesome. The 4 dragon essence pills not only brought my Martial Dao Realm to the Innate Realm fourth layer, but the greater gain was a certain improvement in my Physical Body strength, and a significant advancement in my internal Qi and blood and vitality. Not bad, not bad."
He felt that at this moment, ordinary unranked weapons would find it very difficult to injure him; at most, they would just break the skin.
Stepping out of the Cultivation room.
Lu Zhenghai squinted slightly, finding the sun a bit dazzling. He needed to adjust.
Then, his mind stirred, and he felt an inexplicable surge of lust.
Yes, he thought of Gao Yunran.
He was a 20-year-old man in the prime of his vitality, and this was human nature.
Lu Zhenghai walked towards the main courtyard.
On the way.
"Ding, intelligence updated."
"Ding, intelligence updated."
"Ding, intelligence updated."
...Damn.
Three pieces of intelligence?
"System, can intelligence be accumulated?"
"Ding, yes."
However, the intelligence system sometimes has a trigger mechanism. If you are always in seclusion and don't go anywhere, the chance of triggering intelligence will be somewhat reduced.
Therefore, in ten-odd days, only three pieces of intelligence were accumulated, not more.
But Lu Zhenghai couldn't possibly not go into seclusion just for a few more pieces of intelligence, could he? If his strength couldn't improve, no matter how many Opportunities he gained, it would be equivalent to zero.
Isn't the ultimate goal of gaining Opportunities to improve one's strength?
He couldn't put the cart before the horse.
Lu Zhenghai checked the three pieces of intelligence.
"Ding, exit the Imperial City's North Gate, walk southwest for 170 li, and the Host will encounter an inn. This inn is a Human Flesh Inn."
"Ding, in the middle of the third floor of Leiming Temple's Scripture Pavilion, there is a copy of the yanhua sutra. Hidden within the yanhua sutra is the heaven grade, high rank fist technique, Six Paths Reincarnation Fist."
"Ding, in the pond within the Grand Tutors Residence garden, there is a 700-year-old Spiritual Fish, whose medicinal effects are comparable to ordinary precious medicines."