Dragon-Tiger Duel

About seven or eight zhang away, Zuo Zixiong and his group blocked the corridor exit. Xu Qing, standing in the only path forward, stopped a server carrying fruit and wine without any delay. After taking a pot of Spring Dragon Well Tea, he decisively turned and returned to the tea booth.

"Didn't Brother Xu say he had urgent matters to attend to? Why are you back?"

"I do have urgent matters," Xu Qing said with a chuckle, placing the teapot on the table. "I specifically went to get a pot of good tea. They say it's harvested from the tongues of young maidens and dried by being kept warm against their chests. Its flavor is said to be exquisite, so you all must try it."

There's such a thing?

Even Zhu Huai'an, who had visited once five years ago, couldn't resist the temptation of this Maiden's Spring Tea.

He impatiently lifted the tea lid, leaned forward, fanned the steam from the tea with his hand, and took several deep breaths.

Within moments, the little fatty's cheeks were flushed red.

"Good tea! This milky tea is indeed fresh, sweet, and fragrant."

Wu Wencai next to him, seeing Zhu Huai'an's effusive praise, poured himself half a cup. He first smelled it, then tasted it, declaring it the ultimate delicacy, a treasure of the world!

Wu Zhiyuan, being more reserved, hadn't taken a sip yet. Just by smelling the tea, he felt as if he saw a mirror-like surface in the cup, with alluring scenes swirling within.

This is truly shameful! How can I, a dignified gentleman, swallow such vulgar tea?

Hmm, it smells really good!

Xu Qing ignored the excited trio. The tea was just ordinary Spring Dragon Well Tea; the story about maidens preparing it was just something he'd made up on the spot.

At this moment, his attention had already shifted to the newly arrived Overlord Dragon and Ground Tiger.

He wondered if Zuo Zixiong of the Divine Machine Battalion and Bai Luo of the Tianxin Cult would notice each other.

If they did, a dragon-tiger battle would likely ensue.

As for him, a young zombie, he should be sitting with Zhu Huai'an and the others at the children's table, quietly drinking fake milk tea.

The affairs of adults should be left to adults to handle.

Xu Qing hid in a private room in the corridor, occasionally peeking at the scene outside through a screen.

His vantage point was quite high, allowing him to survey the entire situation.

After Zuo Zixiong and the distinguished guest he was protecting chose their private room, he stood like a guardian at the exit, his hawk-like eyes scanning the surroundings.

Xu Qing looked down at the stage. The moment Bai Luo, the White Luo Guardian of the Tianxin Cult, appeared, he had already slipped backstage and vanished completely.

At this point, the selection for the Kui Gu Ling had just passed the halfway mark. The talented women who truly had a chance to win the Courtesan Queen title had not yet appeared, yet guests were already spending fortunes to support those they hadn't even seen perform.

In a private room only two away, the distinguished guest Zuo Zixiong was attending also presented an incredibly lavish "comb-arranging" gift.

"Lord Zhao presents Miss Han Meng with a Cry of Cicadas Zither, valued at... priceless!"

The announcement caused a stir among the audience.

Xu Qing didn't know what was so special about this zither, so he wasn't surprised. However, Wu Zhiyuan looked astonished and exclaimed, "That's the zither Duke Dong Peng gifted to Wei Yao!"

Wu Wencai also showed surprise. "Who is this important figure to be able to give away the Wei family's heirloom, the Cry of Cicadas Zither, as a comb-arranging gift?"

Compared to the Wu brothers, who came from humble origins, Zhu Huai'an clearly knew more insider information.

He pondered for a moment, then dropped a bombshell: "I heard someone in my household talk about this zither. It's said to be a birthday gift from the Wei family to the current Crown Prince when he turned sixty."

"The attendant called him Lord Zhao, and speaking of which, the Crown Prince's surname is also Zhao..."

Xu Qing and the others exchanged glances at this revelation.

Shuhuang Pavilion had an unwritten rule: if a young disciple presented a comb-arranging gift, the attendant would call them "Young Master." However, if the person was older, they would be addressed as "Lord."

Surname Zhao, older, and able to present a priceless treasure like the Cry of Cicadas Zither.

Besides the Crown Prince, who had lived for sixty years, who else could it be?

Initially, Xu Qing thought Bai Luo's appearance here was a coincidence. But now, after learning the identity of the distinguished guest Zuo Zixiong was protecting, he dismissed that idea.

Not long ago, when he was helping the departed distribute flyers, he had obtained some information – that Bai Luo, one of the Five Luo Guardians, had been plotting to assassinate the Crown Prince.

With these two parties suddenly gathered in the same place, it was hard to believe it was a coincidence.

In the private room, the Wu brothers, unaware of the full story, simply thought the trip was worthwhile, having encountered the current Crown Prince here.

Zhu Huai'an, on the other hand, was overjoyed. He thought to himself, Even someone like the Crown Prince comes here to have fun?

Rounding up, when the Crown Prince eventually inherits the throne, won't that mean I once came to a brothel with the Emperor?

Heh! I'm really bringing glory to my Zhu family!

In the private room, the distinguished guest was throwing around priceless treasures; on stage, the various courtesans were exhausting their talents; and in the dark corners, heretics were sharpening their knives.

Xu Qing's private room was too close to Zuo Zixiong's group. He felt uncomfortable all over.

He had to find a way to avoid that guardian and leave this place.

Fortunately, the seven Flower Orders had already been decided on stage, leaving only three top courtesans to compete for the final Courtesan Queen and Drum Seat titles.

Among those three top courtesans was Miss Han Meng, who had received the zither from the Crown Prince.

As for Miss Zhen Wan, whom Zhu Huai'an had chosen with immense wealth, she failed to make it to the finals, only earning the title of Flower Order.

With the lower-tier spots decided, the Flower Orders began to choose their guests for the comb-arranging ceremony.

Xu Qing was looking for an opportunity to slip away when he saw a pretty maid enter their private room, carrying a set of bright red wedding robes meant only for the groom.

"Which one of you is Young Master Zhu, the one who gifted the jade bracelet?"

When Zhu Huai'an stood up and acknowledged her, the maid said with a smile, "My young lady received many valuable gifts, but she doesn't care for those common trinkets. In comparison, only Young Master Zhu's poetry could move my young lady."

"Lian'er congratulates the son-in-law here."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Huai'an knew he had become Miss Zhen Wan's special guest.

Seeing this, Xu Qing's heart stirred, and he quickly stepped forward to offer his congratulations.

Outside the private room, maids held flower baskets, and attendants led red silk ribbons, giving the clear impression of a genuine wedding procession.

However, everyone knew in their hearts that this was ultimately just a fleeting romance, at most a few days as husband and wife. Once the time passed, the young lady would continue to entertain guests as usual, and most of those who would groom her would likely not stay long for various reasons.

Zhu Huai'an put on the wedding robes. Xu Qing was eager to leave the private room as soon as possible, so he and the Wu brothers acted as groomsmen and followed the "wedding procession" to the pavilion where Miss Zhen Wan was.

Xu Qing took the flower basket and scattered petals. Just as he saw Zhu Huai'an off from the front hall, he heard intense fighting sounds from the corridor they had just left.

The group turned to look at the panicked main hall, where they saw a figure dressed as a Taoist priest wielding dual sabers against a young man in white.

"Zuo Zixiong, Cui Yuanlong is not here today. You alone cannot protect your master. Why not convert to my faith and offer the Crown Prince's head? Then you will become an honored protector of my faith!"

Zhu Huai'an wanted to turn and watch the commotion, but Xu Qing's face darkened. He grabbed Zhu Huai'an and shoved him into the pavilion.

You're just a stinking brat. Why are you crowding around the adults instead of playing house with Miss Zhen Wan?