Autumn winds swept through the Divine Capital, tinged with desolation. They stirred the fallen leaves at the street corners, but could not cool the fire burning in Fang Mo's heart.
With his hands clasped behind his back, Fang Mo strode along with his feet splayed, humming that absurd little tune no one could understand as he moved through the bustling crowds.
A yellow dog lay lazily in an alley. It couldn't even be bothered to raise an eyelid when someone approached.
In a good mood, Fang Mo passed by and casually tried to tease it. But the dog seemed to have caught the scent of something terrifying. With a yelp, it tucked its tail between its legs and shot beneath the wall on the other side, trembling and refusing to show its face again.
"Tsk."
Fang Mo shook his head, lamenting how society had declined. Even dogs had become so snobbish that they couldn't recognize the value of his Qi and Blood Realm perfection.
Yihong Pavilion in Wannian County stood at the end of Changle Street, the busiest street in town.
Unlike the surrounding shops, which had opened early to welcome customers amid a chorus of hawking, Yihong Pavilion's doors were firmly shut.
Fang Mo stood at the foot of the steps, looked up at the tightly closed vermilion doors, and pursed his lips.
"Unacceptable."
With his hands behind his back, he paced back and forth in front of the entrance, muttering, "Absolutely unacceptable. What time is it already? The sun's shining right on your backsides, and you're still closed? Don't you have any professional pride in the service industry?"
"Who says a henhouse can only open at night? Don't you know customers have needs around the clock, in every possible way?"
He didn't bother being polite. He strode up the steps and pounded on the door ring, making a thunderous racket.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
"Madam! Mama Feng! Open up and welcome your customers!"
His shout was strong and booming, infused with Qi and Blood energy. It carried through the door and made the beams inside vibrate.
Before long, a few lazy, coquettish curses came from within, mixed with the hurried sound of footsteps.
"Who is it? Raising the dead this early in the morning!"
"What damned pervert came into the world in the wrong body? Coming to a brothel at this hour—aren't you afraid you'll wear that thing out?"
Fang Mo paid no attention. Instead, he struck the door even harder. The ring clanging against its copper plate sounded like a war drum.
"Clatter—"
At last, someone inside pulled the door open a crack.
A mixture of perfume and the fumes of last night's drinking washed over him.
Mama Feng wore a robe over her clothes, and her hair was slightly disheveled. Her still-charming face was full of irritation at being woken.
Rubbing her bleary eyes, she was about to let loose a string of curses, but the moment she saw who was standing outside, she swallowed the filthy words on the tip of her tongue.
"It's you?"
Mama Feng froze.
Of course she remembered that face.
Just two nights ago, this young man had been dragged out of the Heavenly Chamber by people from the Demon Suppression Division like a dead dog.
Back then, everyone had thought he was done for—a man with one foot in the grave.
But now?
Not only was he standing in the sunlight with every limb intact, but the vigor radiating from him was even greater than it had been the night before. Even his Jailer Uniform seemed to carry a trace of official authority.
How could this be?
There were people in the Divine Capital who had gone into the Demon Suppression Division and come out in one piece, but a lowly Heavenly Prison guard shouldn't have been one of them.
"Well, Mama Feng, it's only been one night. What, don't recognize me anymore?"
Fang Mo grinned, showing a mouthful of white teeth. His smile had the easy, shameless warmth of an old friend.
Mama Feng had weathered her share of storms. The shock in her eyes vanished in an instant, hidden beneath a professional fake smile.
"Oh my, it's Young Master Fang."
As she spoke, she tried to discreetly shut the door, positioning herself in the entrance as if by accident.
Fang Mo didn't wait for her to react. He reached out and pushed both doors open, squeezing his way inside as he did.
"It's me, Mama Feng! Surprised? Didn't see that coming, did you?"
"Hey, hey, hey! How can you just barge in like that?" Mama Feng reached out to stop him, but a powerful force shoved her aside, and she stumbled a couple of steps.
Fang Mo strode over the threshold as if he were right at home.
"Now, what do you mean, barging in?"
Fang Mo straightened his collar, his face filled with righteous indignation. "Didn't I leave a huge sum with you last time? That was an advance payment! I'm a VIP among VIPs! When I come here to spend, I'm doing you a favor!"
As he spoke, he ignored Mama Feng's constipated expression, pushed past the blocking attendants, and headed straight for the Heavenly Chamber upstairs.
"Nu'er! Nu'er!"
"Your young master's here! Come out and receive your guest!"
His shout rang out, strong and booming, echoing through the spacious pavilion.
Mama Feng staggered when he pushed past her and nearly lost her balance.
Watching Fang Mo's back, a barely perceptible glint of cold light flashed deep in Mama Feng's eyes, then vanished.
Remembering her young lady's instructions, she instantly changed her expression to a professional, coquettish smile and hurried after him, swaying her hips.
"Oh, Young Master Fang! Slow down!"
"Nu'er hasn't gotten up yet! You're in such a hurry—anyone who didn't know better would think you were here to snatch the bride!"
Mama Feng hurried alongside him, trying to get in front of Fang Mo. "Why don't you go to a private room first, have some tea and a few pastries? Let me get Nu'er dressed and ready for you?"
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