Chapter 153: The Rhyming General

Chapter 153: The Tongue Song Master

Hongya Mountain Copper Tower, Feilou Pavilion.

The "Jiu Tiao" faction of the Sichuan-Chongqing gambling consortium, Cao Cang, stood expressionless outside the pavilion gate, listening to the escalating breaths within, silently counting time in his mind.

After mentally reciting a hundred numbers, Cao Cang slowly inhaled, pushed the door open, and stepped inside.

As he crossed the threshold, the ecstatic sounds reached their peak, sharp and piercing, carrying an indescribable allure.

"Cao Cang, though you are my most admired subordinate, your habit of lurking outside my door, counting my climactic moments, displeases me."

After a long while, a languid, enchanting voice emerged from behind the gauze curtain.

"Do you not desire me?"

Cao Cang stood by the door, his heroic brows slightly arched. "The Tongue Song Master must be mistaken."

"Ah, but I adore your feigned propriety."

At that moment, a breeze stirred from within the curtain, lifting a corner of the gauze. Cao Cang instinctively glanced up, catching sight of two crimson, plump lips.

"Why not try? Rest assured, our affair will remain secret—no one shall accuse you of relying on a woman."

The woman parted her lips, extending an impossibly long tongue, coiling and curling with a charm that could ensnare souls.

Simultaneously, the room’s shadows twisted, the illusion dissipating to reveal flesh-colored walls.

Cao Cang focused, realizing the "flesh" was tongues—ripped out by the roots, hanging from all four walls, writhing ceaselessly.

"Should you still worry, we may enter the Huang Liang Dream Realm. My four consorts are each unique; many brothers within still yearn for them."

"If you prefer mythic figures, it is even simpler—I am delighted to oblige."

"Your Grace, I have urgent matters."

Cao Cang clenched his fists, his face suddenly ashen, finally interrupting her.

"You insufferable man—I doubt you severed your vital gate during mechanization, hence your lack of response."

Cao Cang’s jaw tightened, each word deliberate: "I—have—urgent—matters!"

"Enough teasing. Speak—what urgent matter compels you?"

The woman sighed, retracting her tongue.

The curtain fell again, the projections resuming.

The lingering desire in Feilou Pavilion ebbed slightly.

Cao Cang dared exhale fully, speaking gravely: "I received confirmed news—Si Tiao Gong Qinghong has gone to the deep mountains of Xiyu District."

"Let him go. Our Tiao Zi ventures have been poor lately; perhaps he seeks to hunt for sustenance."

Seeing her indifference, Cao Cang snapped: "Your Grace!"

"You truly lack humor!"

After a petulant hum, she said: "You mean he has located a member of the Mojia Tianzhi Society?"

"Precisely."

"Our Si Tiao is indeed ambitious yet reckless—believing himself flawless, unaware his schemes are laid bare."

At her words, Cao Cang’s face darkened, his eye twitching.

"Ah, my tongue runs wild again. I meant not that you spy on his schemes, but metaphorically—"

She quickly explained, then smiled: "What is your counsel?"

"Shall we aid him? Though his actions were unauthorized, he is Tiao Zi kin."

Cao Cang’s expression sincere: "Moreover, his strike likely aims to claim the reward for San Tiao’s recent death—a matter of honor."

"Hahahahahaha!"

A mocking laugh erupted from behind the curtain, cutting him off.

"Cao Cang, if you believe so, you have fallen into Si Tiao’s trap."

The man froze, confused: "What trap?"

"Do you think Si Tiao pursued Zhao Qingxia for his brother’s sake?"

"Is that not so?"

"Zhao Qingxia’s backers extend beyond Tianzhi Society—perhaps even a Wu Qi Du Fu. How dare he possess such audacity and might?"

Cao Cang’s face solemn: "Knowing it forbidden yet acting still—surely that is worse."

"If he were such a man, I would not have suppressed his rank all these years."

"Now, I shall speak plainly." Her tone turned cold: "He seeks to defect to Wan Zi, amassing capital for himself!"

"Gong Qinghong seeks to switch allegiances? He dares?!"

Cao Cang’s brows shot up, his body radiating icy malice.

"To the Zongheng clan, such self-proclaimed visionaries with grand ambitions are fools capable of any folly."

The woman spoke flatly: "Moreover, I learned Wan Zi has agreed—half the reward for Li Jun’s bounty. The rest suffices for his Zongheng Seven promotion."

"Tiao Zi’s reputation cannot be tarnished. I shall deal with him."

Cao Cang’s words sharp, he abruptly turned and strode away.

The woman behind the curtain did not stop him, only saying: "Bring back the Tianzhi Society member. Since Si Tiao vowed to secure his brother’s reward, we must fulfill his final wish."

"Understood."

After Cao Cang left, the tongues on the walls quivered anew, trembling ceaselessly.

A rustling arose within the pavilion, like whispered conspiracies, tongues gnawing in disarray.

"Though Gong Qinghong was born rebellious, his cunning in exploiting Li Jun’s weakness is admirable. Alas, I detest Zongheng men most."

Within the curtain, her jade body sprawled, one hand propping her jaw, her tongue flicking out like a serpent, teasing a strand of hair cascading from her brow.

"Wu Qi Du Fu—I have yet to taste such a man. Once sated, I shall assume the role of a protective deity; perhaps I shall ascend to that silver tower."

The great moon hung high, illuminating the boundless forests of Xiyu District.

Li Jun stood atop a towering tree, glaring at the mist: "Zou Siji, have you calculated nothing yet?!"

A frustrated voice echoed: "Elder brother, you are my blood elder brother—I am but a lowly Yin Yang Ba, not a court astronomer. How can I compute when the Huang Liang network is severed?!"

"Find the location, and I shall waive the Chengxiang Group’s fee!"

"If you insist, He Ping Restaurant—let me unleash my full computational might!"