Fortunes Rise and Fall

"Fortunes really do rise and fall!" Zhou Yang could not help sighing.

Hearing Zhou Yang's sigh, the proprietress suddenly became interested. "What do you mean by that?"

"Nothing. Just a passing thought."

"Come on, my darling." With that, the proprietress wrapped an arm around Zhou Yang and led him toward the private rooms in the back.

"Hey, proprietress, I never expected this was your type. No wonder none of us ever got a taste of your charms!"

"Yeah, proprietress. Seriously, I liked you from the first time I saw you. Why not give my type a try? Maybe I can give you an even better experience?"

"Exactly. Look at how small that kid is, then look at us."

Seeing the proprietress embrace Zhou Yang and head into the back, the customers became lively. It seemed this proprietress was quite popular. Only then did Zhou Yang turn to look at her. He had to admit, she really was beautiful. With that heavy makeup, she had the air of a femme fatale capable of toppling a nation.

"You bunch of deadbeats, all you know is how to tease me with your mouths. It isn't like I never gave you chances! You just weren't up to the task."

"You call that a chance? You were practically asking us to die!"

"Yeah! You wanted us to defeat Demigod Hanzo! That was practically asking us to die!"

"Then what the hell are you talking for?" As he spoke, Zhou Yang and the proprietress had already reached a corridor hidden from view of the main hall.

Seeing how thoroughly the proprietress had disguised herself, Zhou Yang could not help admiring her. At the same time, he silently mourned for the people outside. They actually dared flirt with such a powerful being. They were practically courting death. Though they did not know the truth, in this dog-eat-dog world, no one would spare them just because they were ignorant. Everything came down to one word: strength.

Given the current situation, Zhou Yang guessed she was taking him to see Hanzo. He would probably become a bargaining chip in some negotiation. He had no idea what this ninja wanted, but at least he was sure that he was safe for the moment.

"Sis, aren't you taking advantage of me like this?" Zhou Yang was not actually trying to point out that she was taking advantage of him. Being held like this did feel quite comfortable, especially with the softness behind him pressed against his back. The sensation was unlike anything he had ever experienced, making it hard for him to pull away.

But enjoying himself was pointless if he lost his life. Between pleasure and survival, he chose survival. What he really wanted was to use this woman's sense of shame to make her let him go and free himself from this most dangerous situation. As long as her weapon moved even an inch from his neck, Hanzo's chances of rescuing him would multiply several times over.

Zhou Yang had complete faith in Hanzo's speed.

To Zhou Yang's surprise, the proprietress not only moved away from behind him, but even walked beside him. It made Zhou Yang want to run, but after considering her strength, he abandoned the idea. Being rescued by Hanzo might feel a little embarrassing, but surviving at the hands of such an expert would still be worth it.

His eyes drifted toward the proprietress beside him, and he thought to himself, How did this woman even survive until now with such terrible judgment?

Then he glanced at her chest and understood something.

With her level of strength, the proprietress naturally noticed Zhou Yang's gaze. A faint smile curled her lips as she said, "Thinking about such things at your age? What will you do when you grow up?"

Zhou Yang was a little embarrassed at being seen through, but he was not worried that she would attack him. After all, he had Hanzo as his safeguard, and she probably would not live much longer anyway. He did not believe Hanzo would spare her life.

At last, they arrived at the door. Yet instead of the expected knock, he heard the jingling of a ring of keys.

Huh? Is there no one in here? Zhou Yang watched as the proprietress searched through the key ring.

After she opened the door, it turned out exactly as he had expected. The private room was empty.

"What? Aren't you taking me to see Hanzo?"

"Hanzo? When did I ever say he was here?"

"What? What do you mean? Did I figure it out wrong?" Zhou Yang was instantly dumbfounded, beginning to question his entire life. That can't be right. If so, why were they getting along so peacefully? By "they," Zhou Yang naturally meant those foreign ninjas.

"That's normal. This is Hanzo's territory, so of course they have to keep their heads down. If they anger Hanzo, wouldn't their country gain another enemy?"

"Then... then why haven't you made a move?"

"Simple. I don't feel like making a move yet. Didn't I say that no Rain ninja here is my match?"

Boom!

Zhou Yang's mind felt as if it had been struck by lightning. He dropped onto the sofa behind him, his face utterly lifeless. He had guessed wrong, which meant he was in danger now.

"Haha, that look in your eyes is so amusing. Are you feeling hopeless now?"

Zhou Yang lowered his head as though he had already given up. He looked just like the fat man Zhou Yang had encountered three days ago.

That old saying really was right. Fortunes rise and fall.

The difference was that Zhou Yang's strength was far beyond what that fat man could compare to. Of course, this woman was also far beyond him. Still, he had one sliver of hope: his astonishing speed. That was right—his only chance was that she was not a speed-type ninja.

With his head lowered, he suddenly pulled with both hands. Bang! The two weights almost simultaneously came off his legs, smashing two dents into the floor under their immense weight. Then he shot toward the still-open door.

To Zhou Yang, his speed felt like flying. After so much training, he had finally achieved something.

Yet the proprietress seemed to have no reaction at all, as if she were still wondering why this kid could move so fast.

I've passed her. I've passed her! I can touch the door just by reaching out! Zhou Yang felt as if victory were already within his grasp.

Bang!

"Seriously, the proprietress is making way too much noise. Can that short kid's body take it?"

"How would I know? I'm jealous! He actually became the proprietress's favored guest."

"Who isn't?"

"Masters Ninja, aren't we good enough?" The courtesans sitting beside them spoke with obvious jealousy.

"Good, good. You're all good. Come on, bottoms up!"

"Hahaha! Awesome!"

Outside, things were lively and festive, but Zhou Yang inside was suffering beyond words. He discovered that his speed, which he had been so proud of, was completely insignificant before this woman. Just as he was about to open the door, she turned around, grabbed him, threw him back onto the sofa, and then shut the door.

"A speed-type ninja... I'm really out of options now." Zhou Yang was truly desperate. Even after using the explosive speed technique Hanzo had recorded on the scroll, he was still no match for her.

"Is this how my life ends? What a pity. I haven't even said goodbye to my virginity yet!" As he spoke, he thought of Nan again. I wonder what will happen to Nan from now on. But with Hanzo protecting her, and with her becoming a ninja early, she'll definitely grow stronger in the future.

With each approaching footstep, the proprietress came before him. Zhou Yang suddenly raised his head and asked, "Can you leave me an intact corpse and bury me here?" There was not a trace of fear in his eyes. They were calm as still water. Perhaps this would not be so bad for him. At least he had gone wild once in the world of anime he loved.

"That won't do." The proprietress refused his request without hesitation.

"I know. You'll definitely take me back to see what information is in my brain, or maybe use my body for experiments. No matter what, you'll make the most of my corpse, won't you?" He seemed to have already seen what would become of him after death.

Just as Zhou Yang imagined the miserable state of his corpse, the proprietress suddenly reached out and flicked his forehead. Even through his forehead protector, Zhou Yang still felt the considerable force.

"What is going on in that little head of yours?"

Though the flick hurt a little, Zhou Yang finally understood the proprietress's identity.