Chapter 152: Rebirth

"Could these instruments, then, be related to the trade you practiced in your lifetime?" Gu Hanguang said slowly.

His eyes, resembling warm jade, pierced toward Lu Yunshu like a flash of lightning, instantly seeing through to the very root of things.

"Indeed, these tools are precisely the instruments I once used to alter appearances for others during my lifetime. However, after my passing, I truly could not bear to watch these treasures gather dust, and thus I spared no effort to expend my energy, finally allowing them to give birth to a wisp of spiritual rhyme." A trace of pride surfaced in Lu Yunshu's expression; these had been nurtured by his own divine soul, and beneath the heavens, apart from him, no one else could command them.

"You mean..."

Gu Hanguang had initially been somewhat indifferent. After all, having reached his level, there were very few things left that could move him. Yet, upon careful reflection, he quickly realized the terrifying nature of Lu Yunshu's ability.

For a moment, he even hesitated somewhat as to whether he should still let Lu Yunshu take such a desperate risk.

After all, someone capable of blazing a commercial route for him could be replaced.

Yet Lu Yunshu was the only one of his kind; if he were to perish, the loss would outweigh the gain.

"My lord is wise. Not only can these treasures exert their former efficacy, but now even soul bodies can have their appearances altered by them, baffling both gods and ghosts," Lu Yunshu agreed.

That Mu Lan had previously frequented his vanity parlor, and purchasing rouge and powder was merely one of the reasons.

There was an even more important reason: Mu Lan had, by chance during an accident, stumbled upon the abilities of Lu Sheng.

Ever since then, Mu Lan's mind had become active.

Of course, Mu Lan was not attempting to alter her appearance entirely; she merely wished for Lu Sheng to skillfully employ this ability to meticulously sculpt her visage.

A woman will adorn herself for one who pleases her; which woman does not desire her face to be flawless?

Initially, Lu Sheng had been unwilling to branch out into extraneous matters and invite trouble for himself, and thus he had continually refused Mu Lan's request. Later, finding her endless persistence unbearable, he had reluctantly agreed.

Due to the limitations of Mu Lan's soul strength, continuous casting was impossible after the initial spell; a certain period of recovery was required before proceeding to the next step.

It was precisely because of this restriction that things were delayed for so long, right up until Luo Kuai burst in and triggered the numerous events that just occurred.

"Does that mean you can alter your own appearance as well?" A thoughtful expression appeared on Gu Hanguang's face. In this way, a great deal of trouble could be saved. At the very least, there would be no need to fear discovery by Luo Kuai. Even if exposed openly in broad daylight, as long as Lu Yunshu did not actively reveal himself, the possibility of others noticing was virtually nonexistent.

Lu Yunshu was somewhat surprised, his expression involuntarily showing a hint of hesitation.

"What, is there a problem?" Gu Hanguang asked suspiciously.

"Not at all. It's just that I've always altered the appearances of others before, and I've never tested it on myself," Lu Yunshu shook his head, his mood rather complicated.

"Well, only in this way can we ensure foolproof safety. After all, our foundations are still shallow at present, and this is not yet the time to make a clean break with the other side," Gu Hanguang offered a word of comfort, before changing the subject and continuing:

"If you truly are unwilling to go and open up the trade route, it is no matter. I shall simply seek someone else. You might as well temporarily stay by my side and serve as a deputy general."

On second thought, Gu Hanguang still felt his previous move was inappropriate. If Lu Yunshu were merely an ordinary person skilled in commerce, the other man would naturally be the irreplaceable choice to expand his territory. Yet once he uncovered the other's entirely new talent, he felt that sending him to open trade routes was simply underutilizing his talents.

While Lu Yunshu's ability could not be called earth-shattering, it was rare enough. Although it could not guarantee grand uses, at critical moments, it could produce unexpected effects.

Therefore, he changed his previous perspective and gave Lu Yunshu a choice.

Lu Yunshu pondered for a moment, yet still shook his head, saying, "Many thanks for the lord's great favor, but I still feel the lord's previous words were correct. Only by tempering oneself amidst crisis can one grow rapidly. If one forever hides under the protection of others, when will I ever be able to avenge my deep grievances..."

The primary reason for his decision was, naturally, not to temper himself. Who would willingly plunge themselves into crisis if they did not have to walk a knife's edge?

Yet staying by Gu Hanguang's side brought a pressure even greater than venturing out into the world.

As the saying goes, accompanying a ruler is like accompanying a tiger. Although Gu Hanguang was no ruler, the principle remained the same. Especially when serving under such a superior figure, every movement was like walking on thin ice, and the slightest carelessness would result in being shattered to pieces.

Gu Hanguang was somewhat surprised, utterly perplexed by Lu Yunshu's choice. His previous words had clearly intended to take the man in as a trusted confidant.

The other party had previously been nothing more than a low-level merchant; becoming a trusted confidant would have been equivalent to taking a step straight to the heavens. Facing such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, he simply could not fathom the reason for a refusal.

Pondering for a long while without finding an answer, Gu Hanguang could only attribute it to the other's pretentious rhetoric.

Could this be considered lifting a stone only to drop it on his own feet?

"Is this your decision? In that case, I shall say no more. In these few days, I will bring this matter onto the agenda. However, your name will need to be changed as well." In the end, Gu Hanguang did not forcefully detain him and chose to support the other's will.

However, though opening the trade route was fraught with crisis, it could not be called a narrow escape with nine deaths out of ten. As long as everything was properly arranged, he still had a certain degree of confidence in ensuring Lu Yunshu's safety.

"After today, it is a rebirth for this subordinate. Then let my name be Lu Sheng," Chen Sheng said without hesitation.

"Very well. Pack up your things and return to the manor with me. As for this vanity parlor... close its doors for good." Gu Hanguang nodded. What the other was called did not matter; here, it was merely a code name.

Without Lu Sheng, this vanity parlor would also lose its reason for existence.

Lu Sheng nodded slightly, his peripheral vision sweeping over the family business that had accompanied him for decades, feeling a lingering sense of reluctance in his heart.

Originally, he had only intended to distance himself from the external hustle and bustle and peacefully run a small shop.

In truth, even this vanity parlor was inseparable from his old trade. Cosmetics and disguise might seem unrelated, but between the two lay an inseparable connection.

Whether it was rouge and powder or his art of disguise, their essence was the use of materials to conceal one's original appearance. With a slight adaptation, he could transform his unique secret into cosmetics possessing beauty and skincare efficacy.