Zhou Zishu did not wish to talk any more inane nonsense with them, and told Zhang Chengling, “Remain here at the inn on your own for a few days, and wait for me. I am going to investigate the Poisonous Scorpions’ territory.”

Zhang Chengling volunteered, “Shifu, I’ll come with you!”

Zhou Zishu said, "Come along to be a burden?"

Zhang Chengling pouted, his expression mournful and his tone one of unwillingness to part with him as he said in a small voice, “Shifu…”

Zhou Zishu kicked him on the thigh, and said, “Do you still want someone to suckle you? Get out. If your gongfu is still in such poor form by the time I return, I’ll break your leg.”

Mournfully, Zhang Chengling left after being chased away. He counted on his fingers, but could not figure out how many times he would have his leg broken in one day, desperately wishing that he could turn into a centipede.

Seeing that Zhou Zishu was walking towards the door, Wen Kexing immediately sprung at him, saying, “I’ll go with you…”

Immediately, Zhou Zishu recoiled to dodge him, stopping him with a finger on his chest. He looked at the packet of walnuts in his hand with a baleful gaze, treating both Wen Kexing and the walnuts alike as venomous pests[17].

Wen Kexing simpered, balled up the paper lump containing the walnuts in a couple of movements and stuffed it into his robes. He rubbed his hands forcefully, then followed after him obediently.

Following Zhou Zishu, Wen Kexing made his way to the outskirts of Luoyang City, turned into a small alley, passing a small copse of lush plants, and crossed through onto a street. Wen Kexing raised his head, and felt that this place could not be more familiar to him--with its dim and amorous lighting, the fragrance of flowers and wine drifting, this was clearly a brothel.

His expression turned odd. Pointing at the songstress who was singing as she played her instrument on the upper level of the building, he asked, “The Poisonous Scorpions’ den...is i-in this sort of place?”

Zhou Zishu glanced at him, and teased, “That’s enough, you can stop pretending to be morally decent. As if Valley Master Wen is an unsullied lotus flower that remains pure though having grown amidst mud.”

He was just about to lift his foot and enter, but Wen Kexing pulled at him hastily, saying in a small voice, "Isn't it because...you're already a married man, Husband Zhou?”

Zhou Zishu gripped his jaw. Wen Kexing looked at him with a shy but loving gaze. Zhou Zishu shivered, and evaluated, “Wife Wen, you gross me out too much.”

Then he released him, and slipped away among the throng of guests seeking pleasure.