With Qin's army drawing near, Bai Yifei had been entrusted with command in the crisis and left with his White Armor Army. The remaining members of the Baiyue Group hid in Great General Ji Wuye's residence, following Bai Yifei's orders to await an opportunity to assassinate Ji Wuye.
Qin's envoy, Li Si, had now entered Xinzheng. The Web's Eight Exquisite-in other words, the somewhat mentally unstable Black and White Xuán Jiǎn-had also appeared there. That meant Ying Zheng was currently in Xinzheng City, accompanied by Guiguzi's disciple, Wei Zhuang's senior fellow disciple Gai Nie.
The Purple Orchid Pavilion was Xinzheng City's foremost pleasure house. Its spacious building was elegant and refined, brilliantly lit within, with crimson cherry blossoms flourishing outside. Beneath the moonlight, petals drifted on the breeze like swirling snow, and a rich, delicate fragrance hung in the air. Silhouettes swayed inside, enticing passersby to imagine the delights beyond its doors.
"This way, young master." A dancing girl's eyes lit up at the sight of the disguised Ye Uchiha. She hurried over and ushered him into the Purple Orchid Pavilion.
He glanced around the building. On the spacious stage on the first floor, over a dozen alluring dancers swayed gracefully to the music of zithers and bells, drawing the eyes of many seated patrons.
Quite a few nobles and court officials were also heading toward the upstairs rooms, cheerfully accompanied by dancers and songstresses.
Ye Uchiha casually tossed the dancer beside him a silver ingot. "A quiet private room on the second floor, and a table of your best food and wine. I'll be dining alone. I don't need company."
Feeling the silver ingot's texture and weight, the dancer beamed warmly. She escorted Ye Uchiha to a luxurious room on the second floor and had an assortment of lavish