Half an hour later, on Changle Street.
As dusk settles, the streets are bustling with traffic, and wealthy young men can be seen strolling around at night.
Wang Zhengan sat in a teahouse by the street, holding the newly delivered mail in his hand, his eyebrows furrowed tightly, secretly wondering if he had recently offended the Grand Duke Jupiter.
As the second son of the Duke Who Protects the State, Wang Zhengan's status was extraordinary. His father was once one of the Eight Pillar States of Hezhong, on par with General Cao Xiong, and could be considered the right-hand man of the current sage.
Unfortunately, Cao Xiong was a childhood friend of Grand Progenitor of Yan and was regarded as an uncle by the emperor, so he was superior to the Wang Clan in every way.
For example, the daughter of the Cao Clan was the Empress, and the daughter of the Wang Clan was a Noble Consort.
The Cao Clan's grandson is the crown prince, while the Wang Clan's grandson can only be a leisurely prince...
When the Xiao Clan came to power, the Cao and Wang families contributed roughly the same amount of effort. Now, the treatment they receive is vastly different, and the Duke Who Protects the State is certainly not willing to swallow this insult. Therefore, he wants to reclaim what he deserves.
Wang Zhengan ran around doing errands for this matter, and finally managed to get in touch with the Eight Pillars Hall and bring Yang Tuyan over. He originally planned to use this opportunity to cause trouble for the Cao Clan during the Emperor of Yan's birthday celebration.
But unexpectedly Mantanghong, for some unknown reason, came to cause trouble, and Qingxi even had a young man surnamed Ye appear, who quickly killed the assassins they had hired.
That was bad enough. Wang Zhengan was still trying to win over Black Dragon Island and had sent people to discuss it when this brat surnamed Ye wrecked Black Dragon Island in no time.
After two incidents in a row, Wang Zhengan even began to suspect that this young man surnamed Ye was specifically targeting the Wang Clan.
Fortunately, it hasn't affected the overall situation yet.
Huang Guan, the strategist who had just returned from Black Dragon Island, was sitting nearby, stroking his beard and saying:
"The disturbance at the Heaven-Observing Pavilion has spurred Jiang Jinjiang into action, and he's now recruited a henchman. This man is similar to Yang Tuyan; he practices martial arts solely for revenge. If we can get him to the palace, we'll forgo payment, but he'll need a suitable weapon..."
Wang Zhengan expressed deep skepticism about this:
"Are you sure the person you found is reliable? What if he digs you up again before you even get to the capital, because of that brat surnamed Ye?"
"This time, with me personally overseeing the situation, there will definitely be no more problems."
"Hard to say. This young man surnamed Ye is truly a bit strange..."
Thud--
Splash~
Before Wang Zhengan could finish speaking, the sounds of fists slamming into flesh and tables and chairs shattering came from the street outside, accompanied by several exclamations.
Upon hearing the noise, Huang Guan immediately became alert:
Who's causing trouble in the street?
Wang Zhengan didn't even raise an eyebrow:
"That dandy from the Chen family was jealous in the Yuxian Tower and had a quarrel with Uncle Chongyi's son. The quarrel has been going on for a long time..."
Clang~
sough--
Before he could finish speaking, the sound of metal clashing came from afar again.
Huang Guan listened carefully to the sounds, half believing and half doubting:
"Young master, are you referring to Chen Xiaobao, who just started working under Ruan Jinyu? His martial arts have improved so much in just two months?"
"Well..."
Wang Zhengan sensed something was off from the noise, and besides, it was taboo for a young master to fight with a knife in the capital, let alone do so on the Cao Clan's territory.
"Go check what's going on?"
"Yes."
A little earlier.
The Jade Immortal House was packed with people, many young masters and ladies who had come to watch the spectacle peering out from the doorway. Meanwhile, the musicians' thugs stood guard at the entrance to maintain order, creating a cacophony of noise.
"Young Master Chen is still as domineering as ever..."
"What's with the 'overbearing' attitude? He'd better try losing what he's holding!"
"Young Master Zhao, you go ahead, he won't dare to drop it..."
Inside the building, the once elegant lobby now has an overturned table with tea and snacks scattered all over the floor.
The musicians and singers also hid upstairs, cautiously peeking out to observe.
Chen Xiaobao, the Inspection Bureau, sat in the center of the hall, dressed in an embroidered green robe, his imposing figure twirling two Heavenly Maiden Scatters Flowers in his hands as if playing with iron walnuts.
His arrogant demeanor also bore a resemblance to that of Ruan Jinyu.
"If you dare not go up, just kneel down and kowtow three times to me, and this matter will be over..."
Not far ahead, a young man in brocade robes rolled up his sleeves and cursed angrily:
"You little brat, if you've got the guts, throw that thing away and let's have a proper fight..."
Chen Xiaobao nodded. "Okay, I'll throw it now." He then pretended to scatter Heavenly Maiden Scatters Flowers.
"Hey!"
The young man in brocade robes quickly stepped back.
Between the two, Dong Baoquan, who had come to mediate, was already numb.
Dong Baoquan retainer of the Cao family, he was of high status, and ordinary people would address him as Master Dong.
But these two in front of him were not someone he could intimidate with his reputation alone.
After all, to be considered a "connected person," you first need to have connections!
Chen Xiaobao comes from the Wuxi Chen Clan, one of the Seven Eminent Confucian Families. His grandfather served as the Grand Secretary in the previous dynasty and was of the same generation as Chancellor Li, Wu Chenglie, Zhang Zhiqing, and others.
Furthermore, when the Xiao Clan inherited the throne, the Chen family resigned on the grounds that "a loyal minister does not serve two masters." This reason was tantamount to pointing fingers at Chancellor Li and others and cursing them, yet nothing happened afterward, which clearly shows the background of this man.
The young man in brocade robes standing opposite him was of a more ordinary status; Zhao Ruimin, the son of the Earl of Chongyi, and a director of the Yong River Chamber of Commerce.
As for the cause of the conflict, it was quite simple— Chen Xiaobao was on a business trip with his team, and the girls he usually hired were available. Since a distinguished guest had arrived, the restaurant arranged for one of them.
Who would have thought that when Young Master Chen returned riding Ruan Jinyu, the first thing he did was run to the brothel to boast.
Then, looking up, she saw her little sweetheart being held and poked, and in anger, she raised her hand and overturned the table.
Young Master Zhao isn't some clay idol, and he's not spending money on a brothel to listen to music; he's not trying to seduce Chen Xiaobao's wife. He's bound to be furious.
Then Chen Xiaobao pulled out two hand grenades!
Not to mention Young Master Zhao, even Dong Baoquan was afraid of this thing, and at this moment he raised his hand again to stop it:
"There are many people inside and outside the building, and it would be difficult to explain if we accidentally injured anyone. This matter is Jade Immortal House's fault. How about I treat you two gentlemen to a meal, and call all the top courtesans in the building..."
Chen Xiaobao leaned back in his chair, twirling two large iron walnuts in his palms. Ruan Jinyu's expression was perfectly imitated:
"You touched my woman, and you think a few drinks will solve everything? Even if the King of Heaven himself came today, he'd... he'd..."
As they were talking, Chen Xiaobao noticed something was wrong out of the corner of his eye.
Then, as if seeing the "King of Heaven," he suddenly stood up straight, hid the Heavenly Maiden Scatters Flowers behind his back, and looked terrified.
Upon seeing this, Young Master Zhao and Dong Baoquan assumed that the head of the Heaven-Observing Pavilion had arrived and both turned their heads.
But then, a wandering swordsman wearing a bamboo hat emerged from the crowd outside the door.
The wandering swordsman was dressed in a rather simple manner, and his appearance was unfamiliar. He carried a knife in his hand, pushed aside the young master's head blocking his way with one hand, and halfway through the journey, he untied the black cloth covering his weapon, revealing the black hilt and scabbard.
Such attire and demeanor are actually quite common in the streets; they are mostly hired thugs by rivals to slash people.
But this is Jade Immortal House, a property of the Cao Clan!
Those who dare to cause trouble are only aristocratic scions like Chen Xiaobao with "heavenly markings"; I've never seen a lowly ruffian dare to be so disrespectful.
The four or five thugs outside the building were stunned for a moment when they saw this. Only when the wandering swordsman was almost at the steps did one of the thugs react, immediately glaring angrily:
"Who is it...?"
Thud--
Before the words were even finished, a muffled thud was heard in front of the building!
The wandering swordsman, without uttering a word, simply took a large step and leaped into the air, soaring more than ten feet across the sky, delivering a flying knee strike squarely to the chest of the thug blocking his way!
Thump!
With a muffled thud, before the thug could even see the wandering swordsman's movements, his feet were already off the ground, and he fell backward through the gate, sliding several steps before stopping right in front of the furious Dong Baoquan.
Splash...
Upon seeing this, several exclamations rang out from outside the door, and the other thugs who were about to step forward quickly retreated.
The wandering swordsman, seemingly oblivious to his surroundings, stepped through the gate, only to grasp the hilt of his sword halfway through:
Clang--
The dark blade appeared under the building's lights.
Upon seeing this, Chen Xiaobao turned pale and knelt down without hesitation:
"It was all Ruan Jinyu's doing! I was just a messenger, forced into this situation... Eh?"
Before he could finish speaking, the chivalrous young man had already walked in front of him, taking three steps in two, and suddenly leaped forward, wielding his knife in both hands, aiming a slash at Dong Baoquan's head:
"Drink--!"
His angry roar was like the low murmur of a dragon or tiger!
Dong Baoquan had no idea what was going on, but being a retainer in the Cao family meant he wasn't exactly incompetent. In a flash, he drew his sword, which flashed coldly in the main hall!
clang--
Amidst the clang of metal, sparks flew from the knife in Dong Baoquan's hand!
Still in shock, the force of the blade sent him staggering backward, crashing through tables and chairs and falling to the ground.
Splash--
Out of the corner of his eye, he suddenly noticed that the swordsman's knife had turned crimson!
The blade exuded a chilling aura, like a bloodthirsty red wolf baring its crimson eyes at a flock of sheep!
Upon seeing the crimson blade, Dong Baoquan instantly recognized the newcomer. His eyes widened in shock and confusion, but he had no time to question them.
Sizzle~
After Ye Xingge Dong Baoquan down with a single blow, he immediately followed up with a sweeping downward slash.
Amidst the flying brick dust, a crescent-shaped knife mark was left on the lobby floor!
Dong Baoquan was cleaved to the ground. Facing the sweeping blade, he tried to flip backward to dodge, but before he could fully get up, he heard a sound from ahead:
Sa--
After Ye Xingge swept his blade, he burst forward, thrusting his blade forward with both hands, creating a streak of bloody light that swept across half the hall in an instant!
puff!
Before Dong Baoquan could fully raise his head, he saw a crimson line of blood burrowing into his chest and abdomen, followed by a fierce burst of energy coming from the front.
Splash...
Under everyone's gaze, the tall and imposing Dong Baoquan was seen being pierced through the chest and back by a flash of light, until his chest was stuck in his hand guard.
Then, his feet left the ground, and he was pierced by the single blade, flying backward more than ten feet, directly pinning him to the carved beams and painted rafters of the main hall wall.
Thud--
With a muffled thud, Dong Baoquan crashed into the wall, blood spurting from his mouth and nose.
The crimson blade pierced straight through the wooden wall, revealing its blood-stained edge behind it.
Tick-tock~
Blood dripped from the tip of the knife, and a deathly silence fell over the Jade Immortal House, both inside and out...