Young Master Gao? Call me Little Grand Secretary!

A den of iniquity?

Putting everything else aside, the name alone piqued Gao Zhao's interest!

What is this place?

Gao Zhao has been in the Song Dynasty for so long, but he has never heard of this place before!

"Um... tell me first, how exactly does this den of iniquity operate?"

The student's face grew even more embarrassed, and he stammered, "There are operas, acrobatics, restaurants..."

"Get to the point!" Gao Zhao urged impatiently. What kind of money could these few things possibly sell for?

That's completely unreasonable. These things don't justify the title of "money pit," you know?

"And... casinos... brothels..." the student said, his voice trailing off.

"Oh dear, how foolish of you! How could you go to such a place!" Gao Zhao lamented, looking as if he were grieving for his misfortune.

"This is an insult to scholarship! You've incurred a huge debt because of this; it's utterly absurd! Who will help you?!"

Chen Dong was clearly unaware of this beforehand. His eyes widened in surprise, and he pointed at Xu Qing, scolding him angrily before turning to Gao Zhao and apologizing:

"Brother Gao, it's all my fault for not asking the reason beforehand! This kind of person isn't worth your help, let's go!"

"Brother Shaoyang, wait a moment!" Gao Zhao didn't leave immediately, but looked at Xu Qing and asked, "Tell me how much you lost?"

Xu Qing shook his head repeatedly, saying, "I didn't gamble. My family always told me that you mustn't touch that stuff, or you'll be doomed!"

This answer surprised Gao Zhao and the other man. If they didn't gamble, how could they have in debt?

Seeing their expressions, Xu Qing had no choice but to explain, "During my last day off, I was wandering around and unintentionally entered a theater to watch a performance, and then... I met a woman... and we had a very pleasant conversation..."

Gao Zhao's eyes lit up, knowing they had gotten to the point, and he couldn't help but interject, "Was that woman a prostitute?"

Xu Qing couldn't help but frown, clearly not satisfied with his wording, but remembering that she still needed his help, she nodded and said, "I only found out later..."

"You haven't fallen for her, have you?" Gao Zhao noticed his strange expression and quickly said, "Brother Xu, there's a saying that prostitutes are heartless and actresses are unfaithful. A woman like that is just playing around, that's one thing, but if you fall in love, she'll suck you dry, leaving you completely clean!"

Xu Qing was indignant at his constant use of terms like "prostitute" and "whore," and couldn't help but retort, "Don't talk about her like that, she's different!"

Gao Zhao was stunned. Those words sounded so familiar!

Xu Qing seemed to realize her tone was inappropriate and explained, "She was forced into this job! Her father was a gambler who lost all their wealth, and her mother is ill and needs medication daily..."

"Isn't there a younger brother still in school?" Gao Zhao couldn't help but interrupt, "The family is full of debts to pay off, and in her broken state, she had no choice but to choose this path—sacrificing herself to save her family?"

"You...how did you know?" Xu Qing asked, looking surprised and wary. "You know him too?"

"I don't know him!" Gao Zhao denied decisively, surprised that he had come up with this excuse now!

Chen Dong interjected, "If it's a brothel, how could they let you owe money? How did you end up owing all that money?"

Xu Qing lowered his head and said, "I went there twice secretly, and then I ran out of money. Miss Xiangnu also advised me to stay away from places like this, but... I couldn't resist... and then I saw a place to borrow money at the casino, so..."

"Oh...I see!" Gao Zhao exclaimed in realization. No wonder this person could pass the imperial examinations and enter the Imperial Academy; his mind is indeed quick. Borrowing money from a casino to go to a brothel—I never would have thought of that! He then asked, "But the interest rate must be quite high, right?"

Xu Qing's face immediately fell, and he pleaded, "They're asking me for twenty strings of cash now, or they'll come to Biyong to find me. I really can't come up with that much right now. Can you lend it to me first? I've already written home, and they'll send the money soon. I'll definitely pay you back then!"

Gao Zhao asked curiously, "Your family is well-off?"

Xu Qing paused upon hearing this, and stammered, "My clan saw that I had passed the imperial examination and supported my studies..."

"So you wrote back this time to swindle money from the clan!" Gao Zhao said with a half-smile. "You can even deceive the clan that supports your education, how can I trust you?"

"I...I'll give you an IOU!" Xu Qing said urgently, "I'll pay you back as soon as I get the money from the tax office!"

Gao Zhao ignored him completely, shook his head, and left.

Seeing him leave, Xu Qing hurriedly chased after him, shouting, "Please help me! I know you've helped many people lately. You have the ability to help me. If you ignore me, my future will be ruined!"

Gao Zhao paused, turned around, and said coldly, "Explain yourself clearly. Your future is ruined, and that's your own fault. What does it have to do with me!"

Xu Qing said urgently, "But you clearly have the ability to help me..."

"When you were enjoying yourself in a brothel, they clearly had the ability to not charge you, so why didn't you ask them for a freebie? When you were borrowing money from the casino, they clearly had the ability to give it to you for free, so why didn't you ask them?"

Gao Zhao sneered, "How come when it comes to me, having the ability means I have to help you?"

Xu Qing argued, "Because you're a good person, you've helped so many people before, why can't you help me?"

"A good person? What kind of reason is that?!" Gao Zhao said with a mocking smile, "I can help dozens of people out of their predicament for twenty strings of cash, so why should I help you, you lecherous worm, or someone who's not even in the right mind? You're a lecherous worm who's ruined your future and your family's hopes for a whore!"

"You're not allowed to talk about her like that!" Xu Qing roared angrily, "She's different!"

"Haha..." Gao Zhao laughed loudly, pointing at him and saying, "I'm going to that brothel in a bit to find that Xiangnu. Guess how she'll please me!"

"Bastard! I'll kill you!" Xu Qing's eyes turned bloodshot as he imagined the scene and lunged at Gao Zhao.

Gao Zhao's physique is now far superior to that of ordinary people, so why would he be afraid of such a weakling?

He opened his mouth and spat out a mouthful of phlegm with a "pui" sound. Xu Qing didn't dare to catch it and quickly stopped to dodge.

At that moment, Gao Zhao suddenly rushed forward and kicked him squarely in the abdomen.

Xu Qing immediately clutched her lower abdomen and collapsed to the ground, screaming in agony.

Gao Zhao looked down at him with disdain and said, "That's all? It seems you really don't know I'm skilled in both literature and martial arts until I actually do it!"

Xu Qing raised his head and glared angrily.

Chen Dong hurriedly stepped forward, separated the two, and repeatedly apologized to Gao Zhao: "He came to me for help today, and I really didn't know he was this kind of person. Please don't be offended, my good brother. I will definitely not take on such matters again in the future..."

"Hey!" Gao Zhao waved his hand, interrupting, "Brother Shaoyang, how can we throw the baby out with the bathwater! I believe there are still many people who genuinely need help!"

Chen Dong's expression turned serious, filled with respect. "My virtuous brother is truly benevolent and righteous!"

"You flatter me!" Gao Zhao turned and left, waving his hand, leaving Chen Dong with only a dashing back view.

"These brothels in the money-burning den are something else! They're even playing the emotional card. I have to try it out sometime!"