Wang Daxia hadn't even considered using his feminine charms to seduce Ming Wang Iron Bull this time.
He was simply dressing according to his own aesthetic preferences - the padded chest was his own doing, the outfit his own coordination, the accessories his own selection. Lu Ying had reached her limit; every time they went out, she would pluck several colorful beaded and gauze flowers from his hairstyle to prevent him from treating his head like a vase overflowing with blossoms.
While Lu Ying could control his head ornaments, his clothing and chest were beyond her jurisdiction. She couldn't very well undress Wang Daxia or reduce his bust size.
Lu Ying had her principles - she wouldn't abuse her position to harass subordinates.
Men and women have different aesthetic standards, and men understand men better. Wang Daxia's combination of full bust, rounded hips, slender waist, fluttering butterfly-like gaze, red top with green skirt, and fiery red lips attracted attention effortlessly. This richly adorned beauty held fatal appeal for rough, uneducated men, as if crafted from their very fantasies.
Whether it was the stinky Taoist priest before or Ming Wang Iron Bull now, both fell for his type of beauty. Elegant, orchid-like beauties such as the refined courtesan Wang Cuiqiao better suited scholars like Luo Longwen.
Wang Daxia stood up with his "husband" Lu Ying and approached the altar to participate in the initiation ceremony.
The altar displayed a painting of a dragon flower tree. Except for Ding Wu - who had already joined the White Lotus Sect - everyone knelt beneath the dragon flower tree to receive the precepts.
Wang Daxia felt a burning gaze fixed upon him. Tracing its source, he found Ming Wang Iron Bull seated upon the white lotus throne.
When under another's roof, one must bow their head. Moreover, the cross-dressing Wang Daxia had no particular sense of propriety. Meeting Iron Bull's gaze directly, their eyes locked as Wang Daxia's lips curved slightly upward in a charming smile.
What a seductive, flirtatious married woman!
It seemed... almost too easy.
Ming Wang's heart was hooked by Wang Daxia's smile, rocking like a small boat in tidal waters, utterly unable to calm down.
"I shall administer their precepts," declared Ming Wang Iron Bull as he descended from the white lotus altar. Lighting a bundle of incense, he distributed individual sticks to the initiates while chanting the Incense Burning Praise: "From the precious censer rises incense, filling all directions, flowing universally to Spirit Mountain, we invite the Dharma King. The Dharma realm knows no bounds, all Buddhas descend to this sacred space. Homage to the Bodhisattva of Fragrant Cloud Canopy."
When Iron Bull handed the incense to Wang Daxia, he secretly brushed his little finger against Wang Daxia's palm.
Wang Daxia devoutly accepted the incense, showing neither shyness nor anger but instead responding with a radiant smile: Oh my, this Ming Wang is just like the stinky Taoist - still attached to worldly desires.
Seeing Wang Daxia's reaction, Iron Bull's heart no longer resembled tidal waters but transformed into a tornado, his world now swept by violent storms.
Wang Daxia and the others held their incense sticks, bowed three times before the White Lotus Sect's Precious Scrolls, then inserted the incense into the precious censer.
Religion is an art of chanting and recitation. Having completed the Incense Burning Praise, it was time for the initiation vows. Iron Bull declared: "...The scripture block is completed. We seek all sages and saints, jointly developing sincere hearts, donating to accomplish holy deeds, leaving fragrant names for eternity, at the final Dragon Flower Assembly, each continuing the Lotus lineage."
With the ceremony completed, Ming Wang Iron Bull personally took up the brush to record the initiates' names on yellow paper as proof of membership.
When it was Wang Daxia's turn, Ming Wang asked: "May I have the second congregation member's name?" Within the White Lotus Sect, men were called first congregation, women second congregation.
Wang Daxia replied: "Ximen Xia-shi."It turned out this coquettish lady’s maiden name was Xia. Iron Bull wrote down the name and handed the yellow paper to Wang Daxia. This time, emboldened, he secretly squeezed Wang Daxia’s hand three times under the cover of the paper.
Wang Daxia responded with another smile.
From their first meeting, Wang Daxia had smiled at Ming Wang three times. After these three smiles, Ming Wang was completely captivated by his Pomegranate Skirt.
Ming Wang said to Lu Ying, the husband of the beautiful young woman, "Boss Ximen has spiritual roots and has made generous donations. I hereby appoint you as an incense master."
Lu Ying, overwhelmed with gratitude, accepted the position.
Ming Wang Iron Bull glanced at the centipede-like scar on Lu Ying’s right cheek and said, "Incense Master Ximen is injured. If it hinders your movements, as husband and wife, Madam Ximen can act on your behalf and carry out duties for the White Lotus Sect."
"This…" Lu Ying was startled: When did Wang Daxia manage to charm Iron Bull?
Wei Caiwei was equally shocked: What’s going on? When did all this happen? It was only the time it took to offer incense—how could Iron Bull have taken a liking to Wang Daxia?
Luo Longwen observed Wei Caiwei’s expression: Look at that anxious face—their affair must be real.
Seeing Lu Ying’s "hesitation," Wang Daxia said, "Thank you for your favor, Ming Wang. My husband’s face needs rest, so I’ll take on the responsibility. I know some martial arts, can read, write, and do calculations. I am honored that Ming Wang does not look down on me for being a woman. I will certainly do what I can for the White Lotus Sect."
What she could do was destroy the White Lotus Sect.
Wang Daxia’s words delighted Ming Wang: My beauty, you don’t need to do anything—just lie back and relax.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Lu Ying caught on and said, "You must follow Ming Wang’s orders and not disobey him."
With the beauty almost in his grasp, Iron Bull handed a talisman to Wang Daxia. "With this token, you may enter and leave the White Lotus Sect’s headquarters."
Wang Daxia was ecstatic, accepting the talisman with both hands. Ming Wang secretly scratched his palm three times.
Everyone withdrew, leaving only Ding Wu behind. Ming Wang said to Ding Wu, "You are different from Hua Dalang. Hua Dalang was the sect leader’s man—dead or alive, it doesn’t matter. I’ve declared myself Ming Wang and broken ties with the sect leader. But you are San Niangzi’s person. I’ve just started my uprising and don’t want to make enemies everywhere, especially not San Niangzi. So, I’ll let you go. When you return, tell the sect leader that from now on, he and I will control the White Lotus Sect separately—he in the north, I in the south—with neither interfering in the other’s affairs."
Ming Wang toyed with a gold bar donated by Luo Longwen. "The money I gave him every year before was like buying over five hundred firearms from him. I started my rise with those firearms and won’t deny it. But from this year onward, he won’t get a single coin from me. In the future, I will proclaim myself king in the south. What are Xu Hai and Wang Zhi? Shortsighted fools! They were satisfied with petty official titles when the court offered amnesty, returning home in glory only to be beheaded by the authorities. I won’t be that foolish."
Ding Wu bowed. "Thank you, Ming Wang, for sparing my life."
Ming Wang pointed to the mountain of offerings from the disciples. "Since you came to Jiangnan on San Niangzi’s orders, I can’t let you return empty-handed. Pick anything you like from these items—take whatever catches your eye and present it to San Niangzi."
Ding Wu replied, "I will tell San Niangzi that these are all gifts from Ming Wang. I am merely presenting Buddha with borrowed flowers."Ming Wang, seeing Ding Wu so perceptive, thought it would be good to win over San Niangzi through him, so he kept him as well. "The sect leader appointed you as Branch Leader, and I can do the same. When you return to the Khanate Court, just put in a good word for me before Anda Khan and San Niangzi."
Ding Wu readily agreed, "When I first joined the White Lotus Sect, the sect leader treated me well. But later, when he saw San Niangzi favoring me, he began to suspect I intended to replace him and grew wary, excluding me from all sect affairs. This time, he even tried to use others to silence me. We are already at odds. Since Ming Wang offers to appoint me as Branch Leader, how could I refuse such an honor? A Branch Leader is a Branch Leader—it makes no difference where I serve. I feel an instant connection with Ming Wang. If not for my concern that San Niangzi at the Khanate Court needs my service, I would stay here and assist Ming Wang in claiming the throne."
Ding Wu's flattery struck a chord with Ming Wang, who said, "How dare I compete with San Niangzi for talent? In the future, when our White Lotus Sect grows strong, marching from the south to the central plains to battle the imperial army, we will need San Niangzi to rise in the north simultaneously. With coordinated attacks from north and south, the court's limited forces will be stretched thin, scattered and disorganized. Together, we can wear down the imperial troops through attrition."
Ding Wu continued his sycophancy, "Ming Wang, with such grand ambitions and foresight, you have my utmost admiration. Your strategies are far beyond what the sect leader could ever achieve."
Ming Wang grew even more smug. "My split with the sect leader was a last resort. He only knows how to amass wealth for himself and treats his followers harshly and heartlessly. Dian dedicated himself to the sect leader, risking his life for intelligence, remaining loyal even to the point of compromising his integrity. Yet such a meritorious servant was cast aside without a second thought. I heard he was blown to pieces, not even leaving a whole body behind."
Feeling a sense of shared sorrow, Ming Wang lamented, "These past years, I've led my brothers and five hundred firearms to venture across the seas and seize territories, surviving in the cracks between major pirates like Wang Zhi and Xu Hai. It hasn't been easy. Over half of my brothers have died or been injured, yet the sect leader ignored us, only demanding money and precious Western goods. What future is there in following a leader who only sucks you dry? In the end, he replaced me with a compliant Iron Bull. How could I accept that? I am different—I share all wealth with my brothers, never hoarding for myself. Only when they thrive can I thrive."
Ding Wu piled on the praise, "Ming Wang, your noble character puts the worries of the followers first and their joys last. You will surely achieve all your aspirations."
Today, having gained wealth, an advisor, and a beauty, Ming Wang was elated, feeling he was climbing the peak of his life—even that dragon throne in the capital seemed within reach!
Meanwhile, Lu Ying and Wang Daxia returned home together as a couple, while Wei Caiwei supported the limping Luo Longwen on their way back. Luo Longwen said, "You should find an excuse to check on our neighbor, Madam Ximen. I think that so-called Ming Wang has taken a strong liking to her. On the surface, he appointed Boss Ximen as Incense Master, but his true intention lies elsewhere—he's captivated by Madam Ximen's beauty."
Why does everyone fancy Madam Ximen, such a garish and flirtatious woman!
Wei Caiwei feigned shock, "Is... is that really the case?"Luo Longwen nodded, "I saw Ming Wang touching his hand. He's carrying your child in his belly, what if... it's like sending a lamb into a tiger's den? Go over and think of a way, find an excuse to withdraw from this assignment."
Wei Caiwei then went to discuss the matter of Wang Daxia being "a lamb in a tiger's den" – though it should really be "a tiger in a tiger's den."
Lu Ying was lecturing her subordinate, "How could you take matters into your own hands and use a honey trap to seduce Iron Bull? This is a serious matter, you should have at least discussed it with us first."
Wang Daxia was truly unable to defend himself, "I really didn't seduce any man! I'm innocent! It's like Jiang Taigong fishing – those who are willing take the bait. What can I do about it!"
Wei Caiwei watched the exuberant, flirtatiously trembling Wang Daxia and recalled the Eunuch Wang of her previous life, whose personality was completely different – his eyes melancholic, his face expressionless, sometimes even stern in bed, where intimacy felt like visiting a grave. At his most passionate, he would only whimper softly like a kitten, emitting sobbing sounds, nothing like the utterly seductive creature he was now.
Author's note: Having lost Wang Xiaoxia, Eunuch Wang also severed part of his personality. In this lifetime, he's finally a complete person, both in body and soul.
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