Chapter 106: An Ally Of The Maitreya Sect?

Chapter 106: An Ally of the Maitreya Sect?

Not counting his meeting with Tang Wanzhuang, this was Zhao Changhe’s first time in a brothel in his two lives.

At this moment, he had to thank Xia Chichi. He had at least tangled with a woman before; though they hadn't done it for real, it was close enough. Had he come to a brothel a few days ago, his whole body would likely have stiffened up the moment a girl leaned in, a greenhorn look that even Han Wubing could spot back then.

Han Wubing was a friend, so being teased by him a bit was nothing, but he couldn't show any weakness in front of outsiders. He was, after all, the bloodthirsty Asura whose ferocious name spread far and wide, right! If someone saw that this so-called fierce man was actually a novice who blushed the moment a woman touched him, the whole world would laugh their teeth off tomorrow. And he was supposed to have had a bandit chief's wife; no wonder she ran away.

How could he keep mixing in the martial world after that...

"This is the top courtesan of our Xiaoxiang Pavilion, Miss Ruyan," Wan Dongliu said with a smile. "Ruyan, serve Young Master Zhao well. Make him happy, and there will be no shortage of rewards for you."

That Ruyan possessed the quiet, bashful demeanor of a well-bred lady from a good family. She seated herself gracefully beside Zhao Changhe, her head bowed and eyes lowered. She looked highly proper, the kind that kindled a strong desire for conquest. Then, biting her lower lip shyly, her delicate hand raised a cup as she said softly, "Ruyan offers a toast to the Young Master. Your heroic name is known throughout the world, and Ruyan has long admired you..."

A fragrant breeze wafted over as soft jade shoulders pressed against him. Normally, Zhao Changhe would have tensed up long ago, but now he had almost no reaction, raising his cup and drinking with a chuckle. He didn't wrap his arm around the girl's waist like Wan Dongliu opposite him did, nor did he avoid her like a venomous snake. Instead, like an old hand thoroughly familiar with these tricks, he leaned back leisurely against the chair, playing the part of a seasoned veteran of the martial world to absolute perfection.

It wasn't purely to save face; rather, he knew very well that the martial world treated you based on how you carried yourself. If you acted like a novice, all sorts of trouble might come your way, whereas no one would dare play tricks on an old hand.

Sure enough, Wan Dongliu hugged his own girl and laughed, "Ruyan, Brother Zhao here was once the master of a mountain fortress. What kind of decent woman hasn't he played with? You might as well be more direct. Who are you putting on this act for?"

Zhao Changhe secretly thought to himself that he actually fell for this act quite a bit. However, though this Miss Ruyan was beautiful, she was far inferior compared to Tang Wanzhuang, so he already had immunity... On the surface, he merely waved his hand and said, "Aha, Brother Wan, you also know I've played with too many women, so these things aren't very interesting. Just a bit of atmosphere is enough."

Wan Dongliu laughed heartily, "True, the ones Brother Zhao covets should be Yue Hongling, or perhaps Cui Yuanyang? Compared to them, this brothel environment indeed lacks flavor..."

Dammit.

"But then again, even if Brother Zhao gets his wish in the future, they won't be able to give you Ruyan's tender water-like devotion and dedicated service. This is quite different."

"True, true." Looking at the timely aggrieved expression Ruyan made beside him, Zhao Changhe really couldn't keep talking about this. He gave two dry coughs and shifted the subject, "Brother Wan, it's strange to say, but my reputation should mostly be spreading in the north. In the Jiangnan region, people at most just look at the Chronicle of a Troubled World. How come you all seem more familiar with me than the people in the north, even giving me nicknames?"

Wan Dongliu said leisurely, "As a gathering place for water transport, information circulates more densely here than elsewhere, and it's also easier for a person's fame to spread out from here. That is the first reason. As for the second, the Maitreya Sect has actually given Brother Zhao a boost, even though in our analysis, Brother Zhao has nothing to do with them."

Zhao Changhe was stunned, "Them? Boosting me?"

"Indeed," Wan Dongliu smiled. "The relationship between the Maitreya Sect and the Four Symbols Sect is not good. It involves fundamental doctrines, which outweigh benefits and harms. This conflict might even be more severe than their conflicts with the orthodox path or the imperial court. And Brother Zhao is a traitor to the Blood God Sect, a subordinate of the Four Symbols Sect, making you an enemy of theirs; you also killed Luo Zhenwu, suspected to be a prince, and were wanted by the court, a warrant only rescinded because you saved the daughter of the Cui family... In every sense, you can be viewed by the Maitreya Sect as an ally to be won over."

Zhao Changhe almost spat out his wine.

He had come with the intention of looking for trouble with the Maitreya Sect, but heaven knew the Maitreya Sect actually regarded him as an ally in their hearts.

Thinking about it this way, it actually made sense. Especially by the shores of Ancient Sword Lake, in the eyes of the Maitreya Sect, it was he and Han Wubing who had abducted Xia Chichi, driving the Four Symbols Sect mad with anxiety... From the Maitreya Sect's perspective, this naturally fell into the category of an enemy's enemy.

With this thought, the gaze Zhao Changhe directed at Wan Dongliu carried a hint of amusement. You are so warm toward me, is it because you are a member of the Maitreya Sect?

The Maitreya Sect operated in Jiangnan, and the Cao Gang was the local bully here. It was impossible for the two sides to have no intersection; they were either mortal enemies or part of the same group. And judging from this brothel—Tang Wanzhuang had mentioned that the Maitreya Sect indulged heavily in wanton and evil deeds—the probability of him belonging to the Maitreya Sect was very high.

He even deliberately said "in our analysis, Brother Zhao has nothing to do with them." You yourselves naturally know there's no connection.

Wan Dongliu was currently saying, "Therefore, it is completely normal for the Maitreya Sect to hype up Brother Zhao's prestige. Brother Zhao, don't think the name Asura sounds unpleasant; to the Maitreya Sect, it sounds very pleasant indeed. Of course, this hype is mainly to slap the face of the Four Symbols Sect. In their words, the new Holy Maiden of the Four Symbols Sect is a woman Brother Zhao grew tired of playing with, the Blood God Sect helmsman can be killed at will, and even the Sect Master taking action couldn't stop you, and so on and so forth. In the process of this promotion, Brother Zhao's image has been infinitely elevated, and in this region, your name can indeed be said to thud like thunder..."

Zhao Changhe said, "I really must thank them on behalf of Sect Master Xue."

Wan Dongliu smiled and said, "Let's not talk about the Maitreya Sect anymore. I wonder why Brother Zhao, a fierce tiger, has entered Jiangnan? Is there any place where the brothers can be of help?"

Zhao Changhe said, "I just helped you catch a thief, this warmth of yours makes me a bit unaccustomed."

Wan Dongliu shook his head, "Caught a thief? Brother Zhao, do you know who this thief is?"

"Jiangnan figures, Zhao indeed does not know them. Please enlighten me, Brother Wan."

"That is the famous nimble-fingered thief, Ji Chengkong."

Zhao Changhe searched his memory but didn't find this name in the Chronicle of a Troubled World, "My apologies, I still haven't heard of him."

"...In short, he is a thief that gives Jiangnan a massive headache. He has a characteristic: he not only likes to steal things, but he also likes to spy on people's private secrets. If he can steal evidence and spread it outside, that is what pleases him most." Wan Dongliu sighed and said, "So does Brother Zhao know why I, despite having considerable influence, went to catch a thief alone..."

"Could it be that you had some private matter stolen by him?"

"Exactly. This matter might seem like a small thing to Brother Zhao, but in my eyes, it was no less significant than saving my life. Of course, as for what exactly it is, please forgive me for not speaking further."

Saved you from social death, is that it... Zhao Changhe found it quite amusing to hear. The martial world was vast indeed, containing all sorts of odd characters. This Ji Chengkong was actually quite fun. He then asked, "How does Brother Wan plan to deal with this Ji Chengkong? Are you going to kill him?"

"It hasn't caused an impact yet, and I am not that bloodthirsty. However, worrying that he might relapse into his old habits, it is also inconvenient to release him. I intended to lock him up for a period of time before deciding..." Wan Dongliu gave Zhao Changhe a thoughtful look. "Does Brother Zhao's words mean you intend to plead for him? He just wanted to steal your money."

Zhao Changhe waved his hand and laughed, "No, I just find Jiangnan figures very interesting, quite an eye-opener. Come, come, drink."

Wan Dongliu laughed heartily, "Ruyan, it's up to you."

Ruyan, who had been listening to Zhao Changhe speak alongside him with an expression of great admiration, finally broke into a radiant smile and leaned over, "Young Master..."

Zhao Changhe played the part of the old hand to the fullest, smilingly turning down no advances, but in his heart, he found it increasingly interesting.

Wan Dongliu definitely had designs on him, and it would absolutely not be for a mere trifle like helping him catch a thief.

If he was a member of the Maitreya Sect, was he really trying to pull him onto their war chariot?

The host and guest began to drink and chat, pulling back and forth on meaningless martial world topics, interspersed with the girls' tender laughter and flattery. The banquet left both host and guest thoroughly pleased, and the sky had already turned dark.

Wan Dongliu tactfully bid farewell while holding his own girl, smiling, "Ruyan, serve Young Master Zhao well tonight."

Ruyan's eyes held a seductive charm as she lowered her head bashfully.

Zhao Changhe also put on an appearance of wanting to try something fresh tonight, heading to the guest room with his arm around her while chuckling.

The door closed, and Ruyan asked shyly, "Young Master... do you want Ruyan to help you bathe?"

Impatiently, Zhao Changhe scooped her up and leapt onto the bed, "Why are there so many tricks, I'm in a hurry to have it!"

"Oh, Young Master Zhao, be gentler, you really are so impatient..."

The person outside the door listened, shook his head, and retreated.

It was improper to listen too much. Zhao Changhe was among the Hidden Dragons, with sharp ears and eyes; it wouldn't be good if he noticed.

No one knew that the moment the person outside left, Zhao Changhe tapped a finger on Ruyan's sleeping acupoint and flipped himself up.

Where in those clear eyes was there any sign of impatience?

"Only an idiot would do that with a woman suspected of being from the Maitreya Sect, who knows how she might control me... Besides, Chichi said it's dirty." Zhao Changhe lightly and stealthily took out a set of night-traveling clothes from his bundle, slipped them on, and suddenly darted out of the window, vanishing into the dark night.

The biggest problem was that people might think he only lasted three seconds in the room... Forget it, major matters took priority.

The target: tail Wan Dongliu.