The evening glow blazed like fire.
Green Willow Alley, long silent, stirred back to life.
Inside Magpie Nest.
Behind the counter, Sister Hua tallied the accounts while the girls began getting ready.
Although a big shot with plenty of influence had died in the establishment last night,
those of them who had fallen so low as to make a living in this line of work still had to keep business as usual as long as they were alive.
Besides... Everyone looked at the empty corner beside the table.
This book was first published across the web by .
From what the brothel girls knew of Fox, men like him were always cunning and cautious. If he had dared to make a move, he must have had the connections to deal with the aftermath.
"It should be fine."
Sister Hua closed the account book and reassured herself.
She looked up. "Xiao Liu, brew Master Yang a cup of tea, then open the door. We're ready to receive customers."
"I can do it myself."
Old Yang took the teapot, looking a little embarrassed.
That form of address was far too unfamiliar to him.
If not for Lin Shu, with his crippled leg, he would have struggled even to put food on the table. He probably would never have saved enough in his life for a visit to Green Willow Alley.
"Please, allow me."
Xiao Liu hurried to the entrance and shoved one of the doors open.
For the people of Magpie Nest, days like this had repeated countless times. They knew the routine like the backs of their hands.
They could almost guess which customers would come in, what they would say, and which girl they would choose.
But something seemed different tonight.
The tea in Old Yang's hands cooled from scalding to warm, and confusion gradually crept over the girls' faces.
There were slightly fewer passersby outside than usual.
That was no big deal.
Business was always up and down.
The strangest thing was that Magpie Nest was one of the finest brothels in Green Willow Alley.
Yet the customers seemed to overlook the two-story building right before them. They didn't just avoid going inside; they didn't even spare it a glance.
"What's going on?"
Sister Hua finally couldn't take it anymore. She stood and pushed both doors wide open.
The girls crowded over and looked around.
At last, every eye turned toward the entrance to the alley.
A few burly men in short jackets stood squarely in the alley mouth, with a black-faced constable beside them.
Every customer who wanted to come in would have to pass between them.
Sister Hua's eyelid twitched, and unease began to swell inside her.
She turned around and asked for help. "Master Yang?"
"..."
At her words, the teacup in Old Yang's hand wobbled.
His face tightened. After a moment's silence, he nodded. "All right."
Seeing how brave Lin Shu was, anyone else would naturally assume that the people beside him had some ability too.
Only Old Yang knew he was just a useless cripple.
But since Lin Shu had brought him out of South Suburb, he had to do the job he'd been entrusted with.
Even with the alley entrance blocked, he still had to get the message out.
"Master Yang."
Jin Gui noticed his hand trembling slightly.
Last night, this brothel girl had lain on the stairs, screaming. Though she knew she was going to die, she hadn't even dared to resist. Her timid nature was plain to see.
But now, she bent to pick up the old man's cane and said softly, "I'll go with you."
Under everyone's watchful eyes,
Jin Gui supported Old Yang as they went out through the back door and limped toward the alley entrance.
At the entrance to Green Willow Alley.
Zhao Peng stood with several junior disciples, coldly surveying the people passing by.
He cast an impatient glance at the constable beside him.
If the man hadn't inexplicably planted himself there, this wouldn't have been so troublesome.
Their original plan had been to charge into the alley after nightfall, break that Fox's limbs, and drag him straight back to the martial hall.
But it didn't matter.
The young master had died at Magpie Nest last night. As long as they stood here, anyone with half a brain would think twice before stepping into that brothel.
If a fox couldn't even guard its own den, he might as well quit the gang.
Sooner or later, their target would show himself.
Just then, Zhao Peng's gaze flickered, and he began to move.
He was powerfully built, yet his steps were surprisingly light.
"A cripple and a whore?"
Zhao Peng blocked the two people trying to slip out from a corner, his eyes narrowing with a chilling glint.
"..."
Old Yang and Jin Gui stopped in their tracks.
They had already worked themselves up countless times, but when they looked up at the towering figure before them, their bodies still trembled faintly.
"Sir, I'm old and crippled. I can't keep you company for long. You enjoy yourself, and let this young lady escort me home."
Old Yang's face twitched, but he forced a smile and showered Zhao Peng with flattery.
Because he had practiced martial arts, he knew even better just how strong the man before him was.
Judging by the skill Zhao Peng had shown as he walked over, several Liu the Thirds together wouldn't have stood a chance.
"Your words are fake, and your smile is downright ugly." Zhao Peng reached out and slapped the cripple's face.
Hearing the crisp slap,
Chang Yi opened his weary eyes and furrowed his brow slightly.
He was about to speak up and stop them, but then he suddenly looked toward the distance.
"Is his smile really that ugly?"
A curious question came from nearby.
Several disciples of Good Fortune Martial Hall instantly darkened their expressions and turned toward the voice.
A handsome young man with a sickly air strolled into the crowd, utterly nonchalant.
"Why don't you give him a smile and let him see for himself?"
Lin Shu stopped in front of Zhao Peng and asked with interest.
"..."
Zhao Peng looked back without expression.
He had more or less guessed that this was the Fox they were looking for.
The only thing he couldn't understand was what gave the man the nerve to act so arrogantly.
At that thought, a cruel smile touched Zhao Peng's lips.
There was a constable nearby, sure, but did that official really think he could protect Lin Shu day and night?
"You'd better behave yourself..."
He gave a low grunt, but before he could finish, the young man who'd been standing there all loose and carefree suddenly exploded into action.
His right arm shot out. With all five fingers, he seized Zhao Peng by the side of the face and slammed his entire head into the wall beside them.
Boom!
The wall in Green Willow Alley was old and decrepit. How could it withstand such terrifying force?
It shattered on the spot, cracks spreading layer upon layer like a spiderweb!
"I told you to give him a smile."
Lin Shu's voice turned icy. As he held Zhao Peng by the cheek, his thumb brutally dug into the corner of the man's mouth and forced it upward.
He meant to tear a gash right across Zhao Peng's face!
"Ah!!"
As Zhao Peng let out a shrill scream,
his fellow disciples finally reacted. They instinctively glanced at Chang Yi beside them.
The constable hadn't drawn his blade right away. Instead, he seemed to be looking all around for something.
Seeing this, the martial artists clenched their fists and all rushed to punch the sickly young man.
"Outrageous! All of you, stop!"
Chang Yi snapped his gaze back and drew his long saber with a ringing clang.
The old Fox had put too much pressure on him last night. The instant Lin Shu attacked, Chang Yi's first thought had been to wonder what trick the man was playing this time.
Before he'd had a chance to look things over, he realized these people dared to fight right in front of him.
"..."
Several powerful arms hung suspended in midair.
The martial hall disciples froze, their expressions odd as they looked over.
Wait, you could do that?!
Zhao Peng clutched his torn face, fury surging in his eyes.
But when he saw the Purple Flood Dragon embroidered on Chang Yi's collar, he swallowed several mouthfuls of blood and raised an arm to stop his fellow disciples.
Blackwater City's yamen had plenty of constables, but most of them dealt with the affairs of ordinary people.
Those with the right to wear the Purple Flood Dragon faced the Fierce Wolves of the Blackwater Gang, or the many powerful figures who had been famous for years.
In other words,
the constable before him was either a Great Martial Master capable of projecting inner force, or a cultivator who had formally entered the Qi Refining Stage.
Given how young he looked, he was most likely the latter.
"He won't be around forever... Let's go!"
Zhao Peng glared at Lin Shu with resentment, muttered something indistinct, then turned and left with the others.
"Tsk."
Lin Shu watched them leave and wiped the blood from his fingertips.
True.
He wouldn't be around forever.
Before you continue