Chapter 305: Is There Anyone Here?

Chapter 305: Is There a Courtesan Here?

Though he had only met Yang Bugui once, Zhao Changhe said, "So it's you... The other day when I met Brother Zhixing, he mentioned you."

Yang Zhixing, the head of the Yang family—Wang Daozhong's status naturally aligned with the family head.

Yang Qianyuan had assumed that "Wang Daozhong" would surely know his appearance, so he dared not conceal it. Little did he know this fellow had never bothered to look at a wanted poster.

In truth, Zhao Changhe himself was feeling uneasy. Had Yang Qianyuan never seen Wang Daozhong? His disguise was just the usual sallow-faced look, mainly to cover the scar on his cheek, making him appear a young man—far from Wang Daozhong's appearance.

As a concubine's son from a side branch, how could Yang Qianyuan have ever met Wang Daozhong? Though he found this "Wang Daozhong" a bit too young, he dared not act rashly, thinking the Earth List expert might have mastered the art of preserving youth. He could only force a smile: "Since it's you, senior, I dare not hide anything. In truth, everyone here goes by false names; most don't know who anyone else is. You might pass a stranger on the street who was once a fearsome demon lord shaking the world."

Zhao Changhe snorted, "So what if I said it? No big deal. Rest assured, I'm not here to capture you."

"Of course, of course. The Yang family isn't worthy of you traveling such a distance to capture someone." Yang Qianyuan said, "But it's rare for someone of your stature to come to a place like this."

Zhao Changhe asked, "What, is this just a refuge for those who can't make it elsewhere? Kunlun has always been a land of legends; as far as I know, many have come seeking treasures over the ages. Can the Yuxu Palace only guard the nearby peaks, not the vast surrounding area?"

"There used to be more, but now fewer come. Who dares to venture into a place teeming with demons? At first, we thought you were just another martial artist seeking fortune, but since you're Senior Wang, you shouldn't need to risk yourself here for treasure... Unless you're looking for someone?"

"Why not?"

"First, you have many subordinates to command, no need to face danger yourself. Second, with your status, you could directly visit Yuxu Palace. Why come to this transit city at the foot of the mountain?"

"Transit..." Zhao Changhe said, "What do you mean?"

"The Great Xia is easy to deceive, but Tang Wanzhuang is not. With her leading the Demon Suppression Bureau, who dares to ignore it? For instance, staging a play—turning a trusted subordinate into a heinous criminal who flees here as an inside agent—is a common tactic. Once, someone sent an agent who befriended a great demon lord, gained his trust, and lured him out. Tang Wanzhuang lay in ambush outside, and the Demon Suppression Bureau swarmed in to capture him. By the time the Yuxu True Person knew, they were already hundreds of miles away."

Zhao Changhe: "..."

Yang Qianyuan sighed, "So not everyone can enter Kunlun. Newcomers seeking refuge must stay in the city for observation. Only after their identity is confirmed can they be taken into the mountains."

Zhao Changhe nodded, "I see... Interesting. I wouldn't have known without coming here myself."

"Every place has its own rules. Outsiders naturally don't know." Yang Qianyuan said, "In fact, over time, with so many people in the city, there's no need to enter the mountains. The city is convenient—food, drink, gambling, whoring—everything's available. Since so many villains gather here, officials and enemies dare not come easily. It's no different, so why go into the mountains? Most refugees just stay in the city now."

"Still, it's not quite the same," Zhao Changhe said. "If everyone entered the mountains, they'd form a group, an organization. Isn't that the purpose of accepting villains? In the city, you all kill each other. What's the point for the Yuxu True Person?"

"Actually, it's similar now. Outsiders aren't treated as people, but once you can survive in the city, no one attacks each other for no reason. Everyone needs a place to live. If we all killed each other, what would become of it? Of course, no one has ever set such rules; it's all up to individual judgment. But if someone tries to unify the city, their head will be taken by the Yuxu True Person that very day. That's his taboo. Other than that, he doesn't interfere—just collects taxes and resources, sometimes orders people to work. He's like a king."

"I see..." Zhao Changhe asked curiously, "But why does the Yuxu True Person go through all this trouble? If he openly declared himself independent, what could Tang Wanzhuang do?"

Yang Qianyuan seemed to understand: "So you've come to coordinate with the Yuxu True Person, east and west."

Zhao Changhe was taken aback by this, thinking, *As expected of someone from a noble family—his mind works in ways I never imagined. Thanks for the excuse, making Wang Daozhong's presence here perfectly reasonable.*

He then said with a reserved expression, "Indeed, that's my intention. I'm just resting in the city first."

Yang Qianyuan said, "In the past, Xia Longyuan's deterrent power was strong, so the Yuxu True Person acted cautiously. That's understandable. But now that Xia Longyuan is like this, the Yuxu True Person still dares not act boldly, doing things the same way as before. We don't know what he's afraid of. Perhaps it's because I haven't entered the mountains yet and don't know the inside story."

Zhao Changhe frowned slightly, "In that case... If I go directly into the mountains, I should be able to see him, right?"

Yang Qianyuan smiled apologetically, "I wouldn't know, junior. I've never been up the mountain."

Zhao Changhe nodded, "You seem to be doing well here. You haven't been here long, yet you're already a faction leader?"

Yang Qianyuan said, "Ah, I'm no leader. I just offered the Yang family's martial arts to seek refuge under the Money Gang in the east of the city. Gang Leader Qian saw I had some cultivation and gave me a small business to manage. As I said, there are hardly any outsiders here. The business is meager, barely enough to eat sometimes."

Zhao Changhe, in the manner of an elder, asked, "And then? You'll just muddle through with this dull business? Isn't it worse than being at home? Do you regret it?"

Yang Qianyuan's face was expressionless: "Actions always have consequences. This is the price, and I accept it. Anyway, the road isn't completely cut off. If I can catch the Yuxu True Person's eye and learn a move or two, who knows? One day I might fight my way back. Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west."

Zhao Changhe laughed, "Interesting. Now I'm your outsider. Arrange a guide for me, serve me well, and at least you'll have food this month. If I meet the Yuxu True Person, I might put in a good word for you."

With that, he flipped his wrist and slapped a piece of silver onto the table, embedding it flush with the surface—neither protruding nor sunken, as if it were part of the table's design.

Yang Qianyuan saw this and dispelled his last shred of doubt.

Controlling force like that was something he could do himself, but not so effortlessly. The key was that he recognized the intent of the Wang family's Pai Tian Zhen Hai Palm.

Yang Qianyuan bent his waist even more: "Would you like to tour the city, senior? Where would you like to go first? I'll lead the way."

Zhao Changhe thought for a moment, "Is there a courtesan here?"

Yang Qianyuan revealed a knowing smile: "Of course there is. Follow me, senior."

In truth, Zhao Changhe wasn't looking for a brothel but a gambling den. He just didn't want to get straight to the point and needed to take a detour. Most of the time, brothels and gambling dens go hand in hand; where there's a brothel, there's usually a gambling den nearby, or at least in the vicinity.

He wanted to find Ying Wu's people. Listening to Yang Qianyuan alone wasn't enough; he needed confirmation. Besides, he dared not ask Yang Qianyuan about his true intentions. Yang Qianyuan was just a guide and stepping stone to find someone trustworthy.

The main problem was that Ying Wu's people might not be running a gambling den openly here. The Yuxu True Person wasn't stupid—accepting villains was useful to him, but what use was another Heaven List faction? Asking for trouble?

Even if Ying Wu's people were here, they'd be under false names, using other methods. Third Lady hadn't told him how to find them, which only proved that at that time, she didn't consider Zhao Changhe one of her own. Such secrets about infiltrating another's territory weren't to be casually revealed.

But conversely, if he appeared with his black steed and broadsword, others might not recognize him as Zhao Changhe, but Ying Wu's people should know and come to contact him, right? As long as he acted like he was looking for a gambling den, he should catch their attention.

Just as he thought this, they arrived at the brothel.

A swarm of prostitutes immediately surrounded him, each pulling at him: "Sir, come to our place..."

"Sir, don't listen to her. Our skills are much better..."

"We have a girl coming of age tonight. Won't you come and see, sir?"

Zhao Changhe looked left and right, expressionless.

He didn't see the gambling den he wanted. The entire street was nothing but brothels, all vying for customers, their bosoms nearly pressing against his face.

Zhao Changhe finally extricated himself from the surging waves and casually grabbed one: "Stop crowding! You'll do!"

Before he finished speaking, his words froze in his mouth.

At the street corner, a young man dressed in male attire, fanning himself with a folding fan, was leisurely entering another brothel, surrounded by a group of prostitutes. His posture was relaxed, clearly an old hand.

But that was no old hand.

Even reduced to ashes, Zhao Changhe would recognize him—that year's Big Senior Brother, that year's Luo Qi.