A Smile for Master Yang (Seeking Reads and Monthly Votes~)

The sunset glow was like fire.

The silent Green Willow Alley began to stir once more.

Inside Magpie Nest.

Sister Hua was tallying the accounts behind the counter, while the girls were busy dressing themselves up.

Although a prominent figure had died in the establishment last night.

For those who had fallen into this line of work to survive, as long as they were still breathing, business had to go on as usual.

Moreover... everyone looked toward the empty corner by the table.

According to what the courtesans knew of foxes, these masters were the most cunning and cautious; since the other party dared to strike, they surely had the connections to handle the matter.

"There shouldn't be any problems."

Sister Hua closed the ledger, comforting herself in her heart.

She looked up: "Xiao Liu, pour a cup of tea for Old Yang, then open the door and get ready to welcome guests."

"I can do it myself."

Old Yang took the teapot, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

This form of address was far too unfamiliar to him.

If not for Lin Shu, he, with his crippled leg, would have struggled even to eat, let alone afford the expenses to visit Green Willow Alley in this lifetime.

"You're too kind."

Xiao Liu hurried to the entrance and pushed open half of the door with force.

For the people of Magpie Nest, such days had repeated themselves countless times; they were incomparably familiar with the routine.

They could almost guess which patrons would enter, what they would say, and which girl they would choose.

But tonight, something seemed to have changed.

The tea in Old Yang's hand went from scalding to lukewarm, and the expressions of the girls gradually turned to confusion.

There were fewer passersby outside than usual.

That didn't matter much.

Business was always hit or miss.

The strangest part was that Magpie Nest was one of the premier establishments in Green Willow Alley.

Yet, these guests seemed to ignore the two-story building right in front of them; not only did they not walk inside, they didn't even spare it a glance.

"What's going on?"

Sister Hua could finally hold back no longer; she stood up and pushed both doors wide open.

The girls swarmed over, looking around in every direction.

Finally, everyone's gaze converged at the entrance of the alley.

Several sturdy men dressed in short tunics stood straight at the alley's mouth, with a dark-faced constable standing beside them.

Any guest wanting to enter had to pass right through them.

Sister Hua's eyelid twitched, and the unease in her heart grew stronger.

She turned around and asked for help: "Old Yang?"

"..."

At these words, the teacup in Old Yang's hand wobbled.

His face tightened, and after a moment of silence, he nodded: "Alright."

Others, seeing Lin Shu's ferocity, naturally assumed those around him also possessed some skill.

Only Old Yang knew in his heart that he was just a useless cripple.

But since Lin Shu had brought him out of the South Suburb, he had to carry out what he had been tasked to do.

Even if the alley entrance was blocked, he had to get this message out.

"Old Yang."

Jin Gui noticed his slightly trembling palm.

This courtesan had been cowering on the stairs last night, knowing she might die yet not daring to resist, showing her timid nature.

But now, she bent down to help the old man pick up his crutch and whispered: "I will go with you."

Under the gaze of everyone.

Old Yang, supported by Jin Gui, exited through the back door and limped toward the entrance of the alley.

The entrance of Green Willow Alley.

Zhao Peng led several junior disciples, his gaze sweeping over passersby with a sinister glint.

He cast an impatient glance at the constable standing nearby.

If not for the fact that the man was standing there for no apparent reason, this matter wouldn't have been so troublesome.

They had originally planned to charge into the alley under the cover of night, break that fox's limbs, and drag him straight back to the Good Fortune Martial Hall.

But it didn't matter.

The young master had died at the Magpie Nest last night; as long as they stood here, anyone with a brain wouldn't dare step foot into that brothel again.

If a fox couldn't even guard its own den, there would be no point in trying to make a name for himself in the gang.

The target would show himself sooner or later.

Just then, Zhao Peng's eyes flickered, and he stepped forward quietly.

Though his frame was burly, his footsteps were surprisingly light.

"A cripple and a whore?"

Zhao Peng blocked the two people attempting to slip out from the corner, his eyes narrowing with a chilling light.

"..."

Old Yang and Jin Gui froze in their tracks.

Even though they had steeled themselves countless times in their hearts, their bodies couldn't help but tremble slightly when they looked up at the mountain-like figure before them.

"Master, I'm old and crippled, I really can't play for long. You go ahead and enjoy yourself, just let this little lady see me home."

Old Yang's face twitched, yet he forced a smile and spoke with fawning obsequiousness.

It was precisely because he had practiced martial arts that he understood just how formidable the man before him was.

Based solely on the foundation the man displayed as he approached, several Liu the Thirds combined would be no match for him.

"Your words are fake, and your smile is truly ugly." Zhao Peng reached out a large hand and slapped the cripple across the face.

Hearing the crisp sound of the slap.

Chang Yi opened his weary eyes and frowned slightly.

He was about to intervene, but suddenly raised his gaze to look into the distance.

"Is his smile really that ugly?"

A curious voice drifted over.

The expressions of the several Good Fortune Martial Hall disciples turned cold instantly, and they all looked toward the source of the sound.

They saw a sickly, handsome young man strolling toward them, walking into the crowd with an air of indifference.

"How about you try smiling for him to see?"

Lin Shu stopped in front of Zhao Peng and said with keen interest.

"..."

Zhao Peng looked at him, expressionless.

He had roughly guessed that this was the fox they were looking for.

The only thing he couldn't understand was why the man dared to be so arrogant.

At this thought, a cruel smirk touched the corner of Zhao Peng's lips.

There was indeed a constable nearby, but could this officer really protect him day and night without rest?

"You had better be obedient..."

He let out a low grunt, but before he could finish his sentence, the young man, who had appeared so languid just a moment ago, suddenly erupted into action.

His right arm shot out, his five fingers slamming onto the side of Zhao Peng's face, and he violently smashed his entire head into the adjacent wall.

BOOM!

The wall of Green Willow Alley was dilapidated and could not withstand such terrifying force.

It shattered on the spot, cracks spreading out like a spiderweb!

"I told you to smile for him."

Lin Shu's voice was frigid. While pinning Zhao Peng's cheek, he brutally dug his thumb into the corner of the man's mouth and forced it upward.

He was going to tear a gash right across his face!

"AHHH!!"

Following Zhao Peng's shrill scream.

His fellow disciples finally reacted, instinctively looking toward Chang Yi.

The constable hadn't drawn his blade immediately; instead, he seemed to be looking around at nothing in particular.

Seeing this, the martial artists clenched their fists and charged at the sickly youth in unison.

"Insolent! All of you, stop!"

Chang Yi withdrew his gaze, his long blade ringing as it cleared the scabbard.

The pressure that old fox had exerted on him last night was so immense that the moment the other party made a move, his first instinct was to wonder what kind of trick the man was playing again.

Before he could even conduct a thorough inspection, he discovered that this group of people actually dared to resort to violence right in front of him.

"..."

Several arms, which had been descending with heavy, powerful force, hung suspended in mid-air.

The martial arts students looked over with stiff movements and strange expressions on their faces.

No way, it could actually be like this?!

Zhao Peng clutched his torn face, his eyes surging with fury.

But upon seeing the Purple Flood Dragon on Chang Yi's lapel, he swallowed a mouthful of blood and waved his arm to halt his fellow disciples.

Blackwater City's yamen had many bailiffs, but most were responsible for handling matters involving ordinary commoners.

However, those qualified to wear the embroidered Purple Flood Dragon faced the vicious wolves of the Blackwater Gang or established experts who had long since made a name for themselves.

In other words.

The constable before them was either a grand martial artist capable of projecting internal energy or a lord cultivator who had officially stepped into the Qi Refining stage.

Given his youth, it was highly probable he was the latter.

"He won't be around forever... Let's go!"

Zhao Peng glared at Lin Shu with eyes full of resentment, left behind a garbled remark, and turned to lead his group away.

"Tsk."

Lin Shu watched them leave, rubbing the blood off his fingertips.

Indeed.

He wouldn't be around forever.