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The courtesan who was dragged away let out a few pitiful cries before falling silent...
Li Ru hadn't gone far when he heard the sounds of Dong Zhuo beating the courtesan to death. Although he didn't know the reason, he couldn't help but feel a sense of relief at Dong Zhuo's decisiveness and his refusal to be swayed by beauty. "Dong Zhongying hasn't forgotten his former ambitions after all! In that case, I, Li Ru, might as well add fuel to the fire..."
With renewed motivation, Li Ru acted swiftly. Soon, soldiers from Xiliang were patrolling the major streets and intersections of Luoyang, posting notices offering rewards—anyone who identified the rumor-mongers would be rewarded with a thousand gold pieces, those who provided clues would receive a hundred gold pieces, and anyone caught spreading rumors would be punished along with their families!
These measures effectively stamped out the rumors on the streets. Initially, the rumor-mongers had targeted children, enticing them to sing the songs. But now, with the threat of family punishment, strangers approaching children were met with wary eyes...
The lure of wealth soon led to someone providing detailed information for the reward. Li Ru ordered the city gate commandant, Wu Qiong, to lead troops and make arrests. However, the rumor-mongers, sensing danger, fled Luoyang and headed straight for Yangcheng.
*************
When Wang Yun learned that the courtesan he had gifted to Dong Zhuo had been beaten to death, he was startled. After much deliberation, he decided to muster his courage and visit Dong Zhuo.
It wasn't that Wang Yun wasn't afraid of Dong Zhuo's wrath, but his family and estate were too large to flee quickly. Moreover, Wang Yun judged that the current situation wasn't dire enough to warrant such drastic measures. Visiting Dong Zhuo would at least show that he wasn't acting out of guilt.
Upon arriving at Dong Zhuo's residence, Wang Yun immediately knelt before Dong Zhuo and pleaded for forgiveness, prostrating himself on the ground. "I have offended the Prime Minister's might. I deserve death!"
Dong Zhuo laughed heartily. "It's just a courtesan. Why such words, Zishi?"
Wasn't it just the killing of a courtesan? Wang Yun, you're overthinking this, Dong Zhuo thought, amused. He felt a sense of pride that his reputation had instilled such fear in Wang Yun. He helped Wang Yun to his feet and ordered a feast to be prepared.
Wang Yun carefully observed Dong Zhuo and concluded that this wasn't a setup for a trap. He began to relax.
In truth, Dong Zhuo hadn't given much thought to killing the courtesan. She had simply said the wrong thing at the wrong time, and Dong Zhuo, already in a foul mood, had acted impulsively...
In Dong Zhuo's mind, courtesans were little more than living toys, akin to inflatable dolls in later times. Except for a rare few, who would treat their inflatable dolls with care and affection?
Moreover, Wang Yun had left a relatively good impression on Dong Zhuo, especially compared to Yuan Wei.
Yuan Wei, that old fox, was always flaunting his seniority, saying one thing and doing another. He never missed an opportunity to remind everyone of how he had once promoted Dong Zhuo, as if he had done him some great favor. It was utterly annoying. Wasn't it just a minor position as a thief-catcher? Why make such a big deal out of it?
In contrast, Wang Yun seemed much more likable. He was respectful toward Dong Zhuo and had gone out of his way to present him with treasures and courtesans. Naturally, Dong Zhuo treated Wang Yun with more favor.
In his early days as Prime Minister, Dong Zhuo hadn't changed much from his time in Xiliang. Back then, he had been known for his generosity among the Qiang and Hu tribes, freely distributing wealth to those he favored. This was evident in how he had bribed He Jin's subordinates and won over Lü Bu.
The habits forged over years in Xiliang weren't easily shed. Dong Zhuo still hadn't changed much. Feeling that Wang Yun had treated him well, he naturally reciprocated.
After eating and drinking for a while, Wang Yun saw that Dong Zhuo hadn't held the courtesan's death against him. Still, he felt somewhat uneasy. After some thought, he said to Dong Zhuo, "I have come this time to present a treasure to the Prime Minister."
Dong Zhuo, drinking boldly, was also curious about what treasure Wang Yun, of all people, would praise. He asked, "What treasure is this?"
Wang Yun mysteriously pulled out a white jade gourd from his sleeve and presented it to Dong Zhuo.
Dong Zhuo took the white jade gourd, examining it from all angles but finding nothing extraordinary. What kind of treasure is this? Wang Yun, are you trying to fool me?
The white jade gourd was carved from high-quality white jade, translucent and about the size of a palm. It felt warm to the touch and was quite charming, but at best, it was a nice trinket. How could it be called a treasure?
Such items, while not common, weren't impossible to obtain. How could this be considered a treasure? Dong Zhuo glanced at Wang Yun, his confusion evident.
Wang Yun stroked his beard and said proudly, "This is an item of Master Ge! Prime Minister, please take a closer look. There's more to it..."
"Which Master Ge?" Dong Zhuo was momentarily puzzled.
"Of course, it's Ge Xian, the Immortal Ge. Who else in the world would dare call themselves Master Ge?"
Dong Zhuo was startled, nearly dropping the gourd. He quickly tightened his grip. "An item of the Immortal Ge?!" This truly could be called a treasure. Ge Xuan, Master Ge, was a disciple of the immortal Zuo Ci. If this gourd was genuine, it must carry some divine essence...
Wang Yun said with a hint of reluctance, "I obtained this many years ago by chance and have treasured it ever since... Prime Minister, please take a closer look..."
Dong Zhuo brought the white jade gourd closer to his eyes and finally noticed a faint seam near the opening. He glanced at Wang Yun, who nodded in confirmation, before carefully opening the gourd...
Instantly, a golden light burst forth from within, casting a golden hue over Dong Zhuo's eyes.
Dong Zhuo murmured in awe, "This... this... could it be..."
Wang Yun nodded. "Indeed, it is a furnace of Nine-Cycle Golden Elixirs refined by Master Ge! Legend has it that when Master Ge opened the furnace, wind and thunder descended, causing the cauldron to crack. The eighty-one golden elixirs within nearly flew away like rainbows, but Master Ge used his magic to preserve them in this jade gourd..."
Wang Yun's vivid storytelling captivated everyone in the hall, including Dong Zhuo...
Wang Yun continued, "Later, Master Ge, not daring to claim the heavens' work as his own, left these elixirs for those destined to receive them. I once fell gravely ill and, thanks to one of these elixirs, recovered within three days. However, I am a man of shallow fortune and dared not consume more. Now, seeing the Prime Minister's profound blessings, I believe you are worthy of these elixirs and thus present them to you..."
Then, Wang Yun leaned closer to Dong Zhuo and whispered, "These elixirs are of the utmost yang and strength. Consuming them will ignite a fire within, making one impervious to cold, and..."
The more Dong Zhuo listened, the more he was convinced of the elixirs' value. He held the jade gourd, praising it repeatedly. "Truly, this is a precious treasure. Hahaha..."
The two men laughed together, their rapport seemingly perfect.
*****
A/N: This book won't feature any demons or monsters. What Wang Yun said might just be a marketing tactic... Also, Ge Xuan was indeed a master alchemist. Additionally, it's said that Guo Jia of the Three Kingdoms enjoyed taking Five Minerals Powder, which eventually led to his demise... So, stay away from harmful substances, folks.