77: Section 77

Now that there’s an opportunity to check it out, I definitely need to take a close look.

Moreover, in reality, I might not have the chance to go.

…

In the image, the simulation continued.

【Because you were unfamiliar with the route, you took many detours along the way, but you still arrived in Liu Prefecture on the seventh day of the ninth month.】

【Due to the Qian Family’s presence, Liu Prefecture had a strong tradition of merchant trade, with merchants from Liu Prefecture found all over the country.】

【After you arrived in Liu Prefecture, you were also shocked by this commercial atmosphere, never expecting there to be such a city of merchants in this world.】

【Leading your horse to a tavern, you were informed that all the rooms were full. Seeing your beauty, the tavern owner kindly told you that due to the Pearl Radiance Treasure Pavilion’s auction, all inn rooms had been completely booked ten days prior.】

【If you wanted accommodation, you could only set up a tent in the wilderness.】

【He also recommended some shops where you could buy tents.】

【You did not agree after hearing this.】

【However, as you were about to leave the tavern, a clear male voice called out to you.】

“Young lady, if you don’t mind, would you like to come with me?”

“I’ve booked an entire floor of rooms, and there are a few empty ones.”

【You looked up.】

【You saw a handsome man, wearing a jade crown that held his hair in place, dressed in purple robes, and holding a folding fan, walking down the stairs.】

【Behind him were three maids of different styles, all appearing to be exceptionally beautiful and graceful.】

【The man smiled, his eyes constantly appraising you, seemingly very interested in you.】

【But you recognized at a glance that this so-called “man” was actually a woman disguised as a man. Her impressive chest seemed to be tightly bound by a chest binder, yet you could still discern the broadness of her pectoral muscles.】

【Although you didn’t know her purpose, you didn’t want to sleep in a tent in the wilderness right now, so you nodded.】

“Thank you!”

Chapter 83: Ling Fei’s Origin, an Organization Richer Than the National Treasury

【Seeing your agreement, Ling Fei immediately closed his folding fan.】

“Please, young lady!”

【You then tethered Xiao Hong, took down your luggage, and instructed the waiter to feed her well before directly heading to the floor booked by the “man.”】

【Seeing your easy agreement, the people eating on the first floor secretly felt it was a pity.】

【Such a peerless beauty, yet also a shallow person.】

【Indeed, no matter when, it’s always an era that values looks.】

【You followed this man and his three maids upstairs.】

【This tavern was called Yue Lai Tavern and had four floors. The first and second floors were for dining, while the third and fourth floors were the residential areas.】

【This “man” had booked the entire fourth floor for “himself” and his three maids to reside in.】

【The fourth floor actually had many empty rooms, but the “man” disliked crowds, so he booked the entire fourth floor and even had it redecorated.】

【You realized that the “man” in front of you possessed extraordinary wealth.】

【The “man’s” room was very luxurious, with countless valuable decorations. Even the most ordinary chairs were made of overseas huanghuali wood.】

【After you took a seat in his room, the “man” introduced himself.】

“I am Ling Fei, a humble merchant. May I ask for your esteemed name, young lady?”

“Xiao Xiyue.”

【You were very calm, and your voice, which you had Cultivated, was also very pleasant.】

【Ling Fei immediately showed a rather pleased expression.】

“Xiao Xiyue, such a peerless beauty, I really shouldn’t have never heard your name before.”

“May I ask if Xiao Xiyue is here for the Pearl Radiance Treasure Pavilion’s auction?”

“Yes.”

【You seemed to be a person of few words, unwilling to reveal more information.】

【Seeing your taciturn nature, Ling Fei laughed heartily.】

“Xiao Xiyue has a cool and aloof personality, so I won’t say anything more.”

【After speaking, Ling Fei looked at Su Jin, one of the three maids who was gentle and charming.】

“Su Jin, take this Xiao Xiyue to the room next to mine.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

【After speaking, Su Jin came to your side, her voice soft and gentle.】

“Xiao Xiyue, please.”

“Thank you very much!”

“In the future, if there’s anything you need my help with, and I can assist, I will certainly do so.”

【You made your promise.】

【Ling Fei smiled.】

“If I sought repayment from you, I wouldn’t have done this.”

“Xiao Xiyue, I have always admired beautiful women. If I encounter someone who catches my eye, what does it matter if I give her all my family wealth?”

“Hmm.”

【After you finished speaking, you followed Su Jin to another room.】

【You liked the fragrance on Su Jin.】

【Soon, Su Jin led you to a room. Although this room wasn’t as luxurious as Ling Fei’s, it was elegant and serene, with bright windows and clean tables.】

“Xiao Xiyue, you can stay here from now on.”

“If you need anything, just call me.”

“Thank you!”

【After thanking Su Jin, she closed the door and left the room.】

【You sat on the bed, carefully thinking about what to do next.】

【Everyone in the Jianghu said that Ku Rong Old Man’s poison techniques were formidable, so it was clear that you absolutely could not let Ku Rong Old Man notice you.】

【In fact, you couldn't even engage him head-on; you had to subdue him by surprise.】

【Although Empress Goddess Skill provided a Protective Aura, you still didn't dare to be overconfident.】

【After all, when it came to poison, if you were accidentally hit, even immortals would find it hard to save you.】

【Just as you were thinking, a sudden commotion came from outside the tavern.】

【You opened the window and looked out, finding a group of beggars had surrounded the Yue Lai Tavern. The old man leading them was short, dark-skinned, and thin, looking quite wretched.】

【To be able to open a business in Liu Prefecture, one naturally wasn't an easy person to deal with.】

【An extremely obese middle-aged wealthy merchant, wearing an official's cloak and cap, seemingly around forty years old, stood at the entrance.】

【With him standing there, the originally spacious entrance immediately became impassable.】

【Watching the obese middle-aged wealthy merchant, the surrounding beggars immediately began tapping their bamboo clappers.】

【Each of them muttered words.】

“Clap the bamboo clappers, let me praise this tavern.”

“It looks like a grand tavern, but in reality, its sins are endless.”

“Bad deeds one after another, evil acts one by one, black-hearted human trafficking accounts, how many families torn apart!”

“This trend must not be allowed to start, he must be—”

【At this point, the beggars who weren't participating in the lotus rhyme singing all spoke up.】

“He must be what?!”

“He must be… he must be completely finished!”

【The onlookers around, at this moment, also began to grasp the meaning.】

【It sounded like the tavern owner was involved in human trafficking.】

“I wondered why this group of beggars suddenly surrounded the place. So, this tavern is secretly doing this kind of business.”

“By the way, have you heard? The missing persons case in Guilin is causing a huge stir, and the government is offering rewards everywhere for arrests.”

“But there’s still no clue so far.”

“There’s actually such a thing!”

“Yes, after the incident blew up, many Jianghu individuals were invited over. They say if the case can be solved, there will be a reward of two thousand taels of silver!”

“So much silver reward, it seems the matter is about to reach the heavens.”

“Do these beggars know something?”

“Who knows?”

“Twenty years ago, this group of beggars was the most ruthless at kidnapping, I don’t know how many children they abducted and sold, and even used them for mutilation.”

“Later, the new leader of the Beggar Gang, Hong Zhengfeng, was entrusted by the imperial court to rectify the Beggar Gang, and gradually, these beggars stopped doing such things.”

“Now it seems these beggars know something.”

“Tsk tsk, now there’s a good show to watch.”

“…”

【Listening to the discussions of the surrounding people, the middle-aged wealthy merchant’s face turned pale and then flushed.】

【He furiously shouted at the leading beggar.】

“Old Lu, you mustn’t slander me!”

“Heh heh, whether I’m slandering you or not, we’ll know when we see the evidence!”

“Those young girls you captured are currently locked in your silver vault!”

“Whether they are or not, we’ll find out by checking your silver vault!”

【The middle-aged wealthy merchant immediately refused.】

“How can our silver vault be seen by outsiders like you!”

“Then what about me?!”

【Just then, a heroic female voice came, and a group of constables in official uniforms walked over.】

【The female constable leading them was clear and refined, with a face like pink jade, and a hint of heroism in her brows.】

【Looking at the attire of this group of people, the crowd immediately started discussing.】

“It’s actually someone from the Divine Arresting Gate, now there’s a good show to watch.”

“Yes, the Divine Arresting Gate is directly under the central imperial court, and they have specialized sets of martial arts for apprehending Jianghu criminals.”

“This time, Yue Lai Tavern has hit a wall.”

【At this moment, seeing that he could no longer hide it, the middle-aged wealthy merchant completely dropped his pretense.】

“So what if I did it? You can’t catch me!”

【With that, the middle-aged wealthy merchant used his Qinggong, moving three zhang in a single step, and sprinted towards the city gate.】

【This Qinggong was disproportionate to his obese body.】

【Seeing this, you picked up a flowerpot nearby, and with a hidden force, threw it directly at the wealthy merchant’s head while he was still in mid-air.】

【The flowerpot struck with great force, splitting the wealthy merchant’s head open and blurring his vision, causing him to fall directly from mid-air.】