Love letters are not allowed in the exorcism notebook!-Chapter 456 - 34: The Imperial Jade Seal, Its Significance Lies in the Continuation of the State

The moniker "Beijing Eight Eccentrics" originally came from the Qian King’s Mansion.

In the past, the Jianghu World didn’t have rankings like top ten martial artists or top ten beauties.

For one thing, information didn’t travel smoothly—you couldn’t expect your local reputation to carry over to other areas.

On the other hand, as a player in the Jianghu World aged, they became more cautious. The more formidable the martial artist, the more humble and reserved they’d be—not like the hot-blooded youngsters, brandishing their watermelon knives, looking to climb the ranks.

As for beauties... Well, any decent girl was spoken for before she came of age, so how could they possibly be set loose to parade before the masses and fuel the lowly daydreams of commoners?

And then there was Qian King’s Mansion... As everyone knows, Old Master Wang of that time relished stirring the pot, and there was also a batch of people willing to join in his schemes. So-called guests under the Qian King’s patronage, back then, were a sizable and rather distinguished group.

This included the "Beijing Eight Eccentrics."

After a brief chat with Fourth Wu, Old Master He welcomed two more people who walked in.

One was a middle-aged hunk with graying temples, eyes obscured by a strip of gray cloth.

The other was a hulking man with salt-and-pepper hair, dressed in just a sleeveless jacket, his shiny, well-oiled muscles exposed, bearing a resemblance to Colonel Sanders.

"These two don’t need much introduction."

Fourth Wu emitted a meaty, unwholesome vibe from head to toe, which made Old Master He beam from ear to ear at his sight.

Now that two more distinguished and good-looking fellows had arrived, Old Master He wasn’t as pleased.

Wang Yunxiao totally got why his mood shifted.

It’s like playing ranked games with your dorm buddies until midnight, then staggering back arm-in-arm, beer and skewers in hand, only to find the other three roommates still studying under lamplight.

Sour, and not cool.

"This here is Blind Su, skilled in all sorts of music and singing, and known in the capital as a hopeless romantic. It’s said that in his younger days, he fell for the President in just one look, but the President didn’t reciprocate. He’s been pining for her his whole life, never marrying..."

"Old Ghost He, earn some karma for a change!"

"See, can’t mention this. He gets all worked up."

Fourth Wu chuckled from the side, "What he fancied wasn’t the President, but the President’s sister-in-law..."

Blind Su and Old Master He both turned to look at him, and Fourth Wu went pale, daring not to speak further.

Old Master He coughed and, pointing at the other man, said to Wang Yunxiao, "This one is the infamous reformed rascal Jin Buhuan. He was a real scoundrel in his early years, involved in countless shady deeds. But he had a change of heart, turned over a new leaf, and even discarded his birth name. If someone asks, he just goes by ’Jin Buhuan.’

"He comes from the Imperial Guards, skilled with a lance and staff, and after fighting in Fusang leagues, he also picked up Western Boxing. His martial arts are quite unorthodox, and it’s tough to get a read on him—easy for the unwary to get played."

The man known as Jin Buhuan had his arms crossed over his chest, glanced at Wang Yunxiao slumped on the kang, and chuckled, "Old Ghost He, is this your new apprentice? His frame doesn’t seem to fit your style. But in terms of age... Little Lanzi is still unwed. From where I stand, this looks like a perfect match—suitable in every way!"

Wang Yunxiao’s opinion of the old gentleman immediately climbed a notch.

Putting that aside, he just felt this person had a good character.

Men don’t usually delve into matchmaking affairs unless they understand them, and because they understand, they approach them cautiously.

Matchmakers exaggerate to the skies when making matches, all for the sake of earning money.

Once men broach the subject, it’s either in recognition of you or your father, believing the girl won’t be bullied in your house—it’s that simple and genuine.

"Stop spouting your mother’s nonsense!"

Before Jin Buhuan’s words had faded, a woman’s scolding voice could be heard from outside.

"My daughter is not without parents, who gave you the right to decide for her?"

First Ms. Liu had arrived.

Before the woman had even entered, the men still standing in the room uniformly took a step back, retreating to the corner to make space for her.

A wave of donkey meat soup aroma hit them.

Then Wang Yunxiao caught sight of this blustering woman.

If "soft" could be used to describe He Lan, then her mother was similarly epitomized by one word—"lustrous!"

The dame appeared to be just over thirty, as viewed by a future woman, one might say she was skilled in maintaining her beauty, with skin that was pale and firm, radiating the ample sensation of a mature woman.

It’s said that women in their thirties are like wolves, in their forties like tigers, and by fifty, they can suck dirt while sitting on the ground.

A normal man’s first reaction to such a woman would definitely not be lust, because this woman is like a ferocious beast, with an intimidating look in her eyes, as if she could suck your bones dry and then airily ask, "Was that any good, you little pup?"

Only an extraordinary man could handle her.

First Ms. Liu arrived, a jug of wine nearly as big as her chest in each hand, followed by He Lan holding a lantern, and a shop assistant carrying a food container behind her, looking as if they had ordered a complete banquet from outside.

Just by the smell, one could tell it was likely from the same donkey meat restaurant as at noon, but donkey meat in buns was only the most basic way of eating there. Considering the setup, First Ms. Liu must have ordered the whole donkey feast.

Donkey liver, donkey lungs, donkey hide, donkey intestines, donkey head, and donkey hooves were served one after another, immediately filling the room with the smell of feasting.

While serving the dishes, First Ms. Liu sent a big roll of the eyes to Fourth Wu and his group, but when she reached Old Master He, she became reserved, greeted him properly, and when she looked at Wang Yunxiao, she couldn’t help but nod.

"The young lad’s not bad."

He Lan, following behind, blushed without a word.

After setting up the food and wine and sending the shop assistant away, First Ms. Liu chuckled and took out a packet of powder from her pocket, handing it to Old Master He: "Old Master, don’t take it to heart that the child is ignorant, why don’t you sit up and have a drink first?"

"No rush, no rush!"

Old Master He waved his hand, propped himself up, and rubbed his back, then said in a deep voice, "Now that everyone’s here, it’s just the four of you left... Let’s get things clear first. Indeed, I have returned this time to look for that youngster and retrieve the Imperial Jade Seal. What are your thoughts on this?"

Upon hearing this, silence fell over the table instantly.

Blind Su spoke, "The Imperial Jade Seal is an artifact of the Former Dynasty. When the dynasty abdicated, the President didn’t covet the riches of their widows and orphans, and afterward sealed and stored the palace treasures without taking anything for herself. I think the President wouldn’t care about the mere Imperial Jade Seal now, would she?"

"Of course, the President wouldn’t care. Today’s world has been forged by her leading armies in battle, with the people’s hearts supporting her, naturally incomparable to a mere Imperial Jade Seal."

Old Master He looked at him, scoffed and said, "But the Jade Seal is about succession. If you don’t hand over the Jade Seal to the President, where else do you intend to take it? To the Qian King’s Mansion... or to the Foreigners?"