Futile Devices Scans

“Master Duan, it’s been so long since you’ve visited. This old woman has missed you terribly.”

Poison Master Moru looked up and saw a heavily made-up middle-aged madam waving a white feather fan at him, her every gesture dripping with flirtation.

Standing beside her was a row of alluring beauties, along with three or four handsome young men. Poison Master Moru only glanced at them briefly before recognizing quite a few familiar faces—Xiao Mei, Hui’er, Bao’er…

How long had it been since he last came here?

People he once knew so well had now become little more than old acquaintances. The passion and exhilaration he had once felt had faded considerably. Seeing them again now, all he felt was endless nostalgia.

They were still the same flirtatious little charmers as before, so why did looking at them leave him completely unmoved?

Poison Master Moru merely smiled at them before continuing on his way, deep in thought.

His fate with Sun Ye had come to an end.

After struggling for so long and getting nowhere, he was genuinely exhausted. Thinking back on his old life now, he found himself missing it dearly.

I should go back to the way I was.

He silently told himself:

I can’t keep drowning in sadness. That isn’t who I am. I should be the carefree, dashing Poison Master Moru who wanders the world without concern. Across the jianghu, in the countryside, in the pleasure houses… countless handsome scholars, charming courtesans, and beautiful companions are eager to share wine and pleasure with me. Why should I hang myself from a single tree?

With that thought, Poison Master Moru turned around and walked straight back toward the pleasure house.

“Ah! Master Duan! I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. I knew there was no way you’d pass by without stopping in.”

“That’s right, Master Duan. Xiao Mei has missed you terribly.”

“The one who missed you most isn’t Xiao Mei. Isn’t it Bao’er hiding by the door?”

“Hahaha! That’s right. We’ve all been thinking about Master Duan.”

Poison Master Moru snorted inwardly.

Thinking about me? You’re thinking about the silver in my purse.

“Prepare the finest room on the second floor! Master Duan has arrived! Where are all those girls who spend every day talking about him?”

“I’m here! I’m here, Master Duan!”

“Master Duan, you’ve finally come! Why didn’t you tell Xiao Wan beforehand?”

“…”

Poison Master Moru chose a seat by the window so he could enjoy some fresh air.

A crowd quickly gathered around him.

Before long, all the silver in his bundle had disappeared into their hands. The few coins left in his money pouch were reserved for travel expenses, so he couldn’t afford to spend any more.

Just like before, he draped an arm around two of the establishment’s most popular young courtesans.

Yet his heart remained completely cold.

Under normal circumstances, he would already be drinking merrily and enjoying himself to the fullest. Instead, his hands and feet felt cold, and his thoughts wandered elsewhere. No matter how much the people around him flirted and teased, he felt absolutely nothing.

How can this be…?

“What’s wrong with Master Duan today? You seem burdened with worries.”

Poison Master Moru paused and turned toward the speaker.

“Is it that obvious?”

The man with delicate brows and phoenix-shaped eyes nodded sweetly.

“Could it be that Bao’er failed to serve Master Duan properly and upset him?”

“No. I’m very happy. From now on, I’ll be able to come here often. I’m simply happy to the point of excess.”

“So that’s the reason.”

The people around him kept pouring him cup after cup of wine.

Feeling unsettled, Poison Master Moru drank more than usual.

As the alcohol flowed, so did his words. Before long, he was flirting and bantering with the beauties around him as naturally as ever, gradually returning to his former self.

Through his drunken haze, Poison Master Moru happened to glance outside.

And saw a familiar figure.

He slowly closed his eyes and opened them again.

The figure was still there.

Tall and straight-backed, carrying a silver sword that matched his pale blue robes, the man stood out among the crowd with striking dignity.

His sword-like brows were slightly furrowed.

His bright, honest eyes searched the street with a trace of urgency and faint disappointment.

In that instant, Poison Master Moru felt his heart being pulled away.

Everything around them faded into nothing but air, drifting silently between the two men.

Unable to suppress his excitement any longer, Poison Master Moru leaped from the second floor and landed on the street not far from Sun Ye.

Then he stood there, gazing steadily at him.

Sun Ye searched for a long time before finally fixing his gaze on one spot.

The man before him wore a faintly drunken smile.

His arrogant eyes traveled slowly over Sun Ye from head to toe.

They looked like two strangers who had met by chance on the road.

Yet in the instant their eyes met and they exchanged a smile, each recognized the other as the companion he had been searching for.

It was the first genuine smile Poison Master Moru had ever seen from Sun Ye.

At that moment, he found himself wishing he knew how to paint.

If he did, he would capture this scene forever.

“Master Duan, why did you suddenly run downstairs?”

A seductive voice from the second floor shattered the beautiful moment.

The rare smile on Sun Ye’s face vanished instantly.

His usual cold expression returned.

Poison Master Moru suddenly wanted nothing more than to grind the person upstairs into dust.

“Let’s leave this place first. I’ll explain everything afterward.”

“The facts are right in front of me. There’s no need to pretend you’re above all this.”

Sun Ye coldly tossed out the remark and turned away.

Poison Master Moru hurried after him.

Though anxious, he was also thrilled.

Is he jealous? Is this his way of declaring ownership over me?

“Master Duan! You said you’ll be coming here often in the future! Don’t break your promise!”

“…”

Another bucket of cold water seemed to splash down between them.

Sun Ye quickened his pace and continued forward with a dark expression.

Poison Master Moru kept explaining as he followed behind.

Eventually they reached a fork in the road.

Sun Ye finally stopped.

“I’m returning to the palace.”

“I’ll go with you.”

“No need.”

“There is every need.”

Sun Ye turned around and said coldly,

“You can go back and finish whatever unfinished business you had in there.”

“I already finished. I only drank some wine.”

Sun Ye’s expression didn’t improve in the slightest.

He turned and continued down the road, acting as though Poison Master Moru didn’t exist.

“You really intend to return to the palace?”

Sun Ye did not answer.

Poison Master Moru continued, “Then did you come here looking for me, intending to take me back to the palace with you?”

Sun Ye still didn’t answer.

Suddenly, Poison Master Moru stepped in front of him and blocked his path. His deep eyes locked onto Sun Ye’s as he said word by word, “You’re not going back to the palace.”

“Why not?” Sun Ye frowned and looked at him coldly.

“Because that’s not where you belong.”

“Then where do you think I belong?”

A low chuckle escaped Poison Master Moru’s lips.

“With me.”

Sun Ye let out a cold snort.

“Going to brothels with you?”

Poison Master Moru’s expression changed slightly, and he replied somewhat awkwardly, “I only went there because I was feeling depressed. I thought we’d become strangers from now on, so I was in a miserable mood and went there to drink a little.”

Sun Ye’s lips moved, but he said nothing. He simply turned and continued walking.

Panicking, Poison Master Moru grabbed him and pulled him close until their bodies were nearly touching.

“You’re not allowed to leave.”

Instinctively, Sun Ye pushed him away and said stiffly, “We can’t spend the night out here, can we? Even if we’re going to travel, we should at least wait until tomorrow morning.”

The words struck Poison Master Moru like a blow to the chest, leaving him dizzy.

“You mean… we’re really going to be together from now on?”

Sun Ye shot him a sidelong glance.

Though he said nothing, the expression on his face revealed everything.

Poison Master Moru was instantly so overjoyed that he didn’t know what to do with himself. He almost wanted to stab himself with a sword just to feel the searing pain and prove this wasn’t a dream.

They climbed directly over the palace wall and returned to the courtyard.

Along the way, Poison Master Moru’s mind was filled with all sorts of thoughts. The body that had felt so cold earlier was now burning hot.

On our last night in the palace, shouldn’t we do something memorable?

…

As they passed by Qingyun Palace, Sun Ye noticed a familiar figure standing outside.

Only when he drew closer did he realize it was Mu Xueshi.

“Young Master Xue, the mosquitoes are terrible out here. Why are you standing outside?”

Mu Xueshi had been secretly dozing off. Hearing a voice, he jumped in fright, immediately straightened up, and opened his eyes wide.

When he realized it wasn’t the Third Prince speaking to him, he finally relaxed a little.

“The moon looks nice tonight. I’m out here admiring it.”

Tilting his head, he flashed a smile.

Though his hair wasn’t combed and his clothes were draped carelessly over him, his picturesque face still made him look adorable.

Unable to hold back, Qingzhu quickly reminded him, “Young Master Xue, stop pretending. His Highness ordered you to stand here as punishment. You’re not supposed to be chatting with people. If His Highness hears you, he’ll add another hour to your punishment.”

The smile instantly vanished from Mu Xueshi’s face, leaving him standing there awkwardly.

Sun Ye immediately understood why Mu Xueshi was being punished and shot a reproachful look at Poison Master Moru.

Poison Master Moru pretended not to notice and even added fuel to the fire.

“The Third Prince is truly heartless, making such a delicate little beauty stand outside feeding mosquitoes.”

The moment he said that, Mu Xueshi felt even more aggrieved. He hurriedly rolled up his sleeve and thrust his arm toward them.

“Look! I already have three huge bites. And here too—there’s another one on my neck.”

Seeing this, Sun Ye couldn’t help saying, “Why don’t I go plead your case?”

“Forget it. Nobody’s pleas work. It’ll only make the punishment worse.”

After sighing heavily, Mu Xueshi turned to Poison Master Moru.

“He took the letter away. Does that mean you can’t deliver it anymore?”

Poison Master Moru glanced around cautiously before lowering his voice.

“Don’t worry, Young Master Xue. After I returned, I copied it out again.”

“You’re brilliant! So farsighted!”

Mu Xueshi gave him a thumbs-up, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

Poison Master Moru grinned as well and took the opportunity to pinch Mu Xueshi’s soft, flawless cheek, delighting in its smooth texture.

Unable to bear it any longer, Sun Ye interrupted angrily.

“Young Master Xue, don’t listen to his nonsense. Actually—”

“Stop right there.”

Mu Xueshi shot him a glare.

“You and the Third Prince are on the same side. Don’t even think about driving a wedge between Poison Master Moru and me.”

Sun Ye’s words died in his throat.

Seeing an opportunity, Poison Master Moru leaned closer and whispered, “Young Master Xue, I’ll have my disciple deliver the letter tomorrow. Don’t worry. He’ll bring the antidote as well.”

“You’re my great benefactor.”

Mu Xueshi solemnly cupped his fists in gratitude, his face full of appreciation.

At that moment, Sun Ye felt the Third Prince’s punishment had been far too lenient.

When Poison Master Moru finally prepared to leave, he and Mu Xueshi happily slapped palms.

The sound had barely faded when the Third Prince’s deep voice echoed from inside.

“Xueshi. Come in.”

“I haven’t been punished long enough yet. I need to continue reflecting on my mistakes. I’ll come in later. Don’t reduce my punishment just because you feel sorry for me. How will you maintain your authority in the future if you do that?”

“Come in.”

“How can you abuse your authority for personal reasons…”

“Come.”

“Yes…”

Mu Xueshi responded in a tiny voice and trudged inside miserably.

There was no helping it.

When the number of words in the Third Prince’s command had been reduced to the absolute minimum, he had no choice but to obey.

Because once the number of words disappeared entirely, it meant all of his good days for the foreseeable future would disappear along with them.

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