Chapter 15: Swimming Dragon Playing with the Phoenix

Chapter 15: Dancing with Dragons and Phoenixes

The city of Shuzhou was vast, stretching four miles east to west and eight miles north to south, narrow in length from east to west, and slightly narrower from north to south.

The mansion of the Marquis of Distant, Xiao’s estate, lay nestled in the northern stretch of Bashan Street along the city’s central axis, bordering the southern gate of the town, at the intersection of two streets.

Facing south with its back to the north, it sprawled across an immense domain.

Chen Yi and others exited the mansion, turned two corners, and walked south along Bashan Street.

During the journey, he kept tugging at the brocade curtain of the carriage, curiously scanning the surroundings.

The road was paved with smooth stone slabs, rarely pitted or dusty, clearly maintained by diligent cleaners.

On either side stood wooden buildings of uniform height, their lacquered surfaces a deep purplish-red hue, each entrance adorned with plaques bearing names like “Moonlight Tavern,” “Jiangnan Silk Goods—Shu Silk,” and “Black Mountain Inn.”

Though it was morning, the streets were already bustling with pedestrians.

Most wore simple hemp garments, while numerous figures from the martial world carried weapons.

Along the way, Chen Yi noticed several foreign women dressed in vibrant silks—some with jewels dangling from their necks, others wrapped in scarves or veils.

“Those are the Poshuo people—they’re a menace,” Xiao Die muttered through the curtain, her voice edged with irritation. “My family has often spoken of them. They disguise themselves as bandits, preying on tea-horse caravans along the ancient routes. Younger Sister once led troops to sweep them out years ago.”

Chen Yi glanced at the dark-skinned, slightly curly-haired Poshuo women, nodded, and shifted his gaze to the armed martial figures.

Yet after observing them all, he couldn’t discern their purpose.

Most of these riff-raff mingling in the martial world wore ragged, unkempt clothes—hardly giving any hint of prowess. Far more striking was Xiao Hongfu’s maid, Shen Chaotou, whose blade hung openly at her side.

At that moment, Xiao Die glanced at Xiao Hongfu, then leaned in quietly: “Brother, could you not go to the south of the city?”

Chen Yi chuckled upon hearing her, feeling the warmth of her breath brush his face, soothing him with its scent: “Rest assured, I’ll just take a look—no harm done.”

Had there not been rumors of “fruit” there, he would never have chosen the southern district’s neon-lit alleys for his first outing.

“Even if I do something, Brother, I’ll do it at night—what do you think?”

Xiao Die paused, then asked hesitantly, “Brother, is there any difference during the day?”

Chen Yi glanced at her curious expression, realizing she was just parroting gossip she’d heard—she couldn’t possibly grasp the intricacies.

Seeing his silence, Xiao Die blushed, realizing she’d asked a foolish question: “I—I mean, the family elders said that place isn’t a good spot. I’m afraid if you speak of it, people might think you’re gossiping.”

Chen Yi chuckled, patting her bun: “Say what you will—they can’t stop you from talking.”

Xiao Die’s cheeks flushed: “Brother, hitting my head will make me dumber.”

“Indeed it will,” Xiao Hongfu said solemnly, having overheard their exchange:

“The Younger Grand Tutor is often punished like that—hence his current state.”

Chen Yi laughed again; this was a curious child with too many questions.

“Your family…”

As the three chattered idly, the carriage rolled into the southern city, stopping before a quiet tavern.

Wang Lixing knocked on the carriage door: “My lord, we’ve arrived in the south.”

Though Xiao Hongfu’s escort had originally lacked Wang Lixing, the household, learning of their departure, had added two more guards.

Alongside Wang Lixing, a strong cultivator of eighth-grade cultivation, there was an older middle-aged man driving the horse-drawn cart, named Liu Sier.

The household guards all addressed him as “Fourth Brother.”

Chen Yi stepped down first, then helped Xiao Hongfu and Xiao Die alight, scanning the area without spotting the location of Lihong Courtyard, he offered an excuse and entered a nearby tavern.

After a moment, he emerged calmly, clapped his hands, pointed east, and led the way forward with his back to them.

Xiao Die hurried after him.

The guards clustered around Xiao Hongfu, clearly valuing his safety above Chen Yi’s.

Liu Sier remained seated in the cart, waiting until they’d disappeared, then entered the tavern.

After a quick look around—finding it filled with ordinary folk who’d come for morning drinks—he approached the counter and asked:

“What did that young lord inquire about?”

The tavern owner, noticing him, tapped his abacus and replied slowly: “Five coins.”

Liu Sier squinted, then tossed five copper coins onto the counter.

The owner collected the money, finished his calculations, and answered: “He asked about the location of Lihong Courtyard.”

Liu Sier noted the name, turned back to the cart, and pondered Chen Yi’s purpose in going there.

His expression turned strange: “Could he really be holding a grudge all this time to come seek revenge?”

Earlier, he’d never heard of this young master having a penchant for chasing after flirtatious women.

And bringing the young lord along—surely he wasn’t afraid of Younger Sister returning to flog him?

Was this intelligence worth reporting…?

Meanwhile, on the other side.

Chen Yi found Lihong Courtyard and led several people around the area, strolling as if casually.

To be honest, the southern district’s air reeked of seduction and vice.

A narrow alley stretching two hundred feet long housed over fifty establishments—all with red lanterns in their windows.

Some displayed colorful girdles and scarves, resembling handkerchiefs at a glance.

Xiao Die glanced at them, immediately blushing and averting her gaze, unwilling to look further.

Yet Xiao Hongfu was quite generous, sneaking glances left and right, then asked: “Brother, what are we doing here? The stench is unbearable.”

A sudden laugh erupted.

One of the guards, unable to hold back, burst into laughter, drawing others into the mirth.

Even Wang Lixing turned a vivid red, clearly unable to endure the “unbearable stench” any longer.

Chen Yi glanced back and winked: “Let me show you the sights.”

Of course, he himself was here to explore the world.

Ignoring the intimate items like girdles, the signs outside merely reading “Poshuo, Western Ocean Buddha Land, and Wa (Japan)” opened his eyes wide.

Shuzhou, truly a major city in the Western Wei dynasty’s south, was a hub for trading with all directions.

Xiao Hongfu remained puzzled: “They’re just colorful clothes—no different from others.”

“Don’t pry into a child’s affairs.”

No sooner had he spoken than over a dozen people emerged from the alley’s entrance—led by a plump, broad-shouldered woman dressed in luxurious silk.

The women trailing her were no gentle folk, their faces grim and fierce.

Chen Yi silently signaled his men to step back, then had Xiao Die produce some sunflower seeds, distributing them among the others while whispering:

“Looks like there’s some fun to watch—keep quiet.”

Before Xiao Hongfu and Xiao Die could comprehend, the woman strode straight to Lihong Courtyard’s entrance, raised her hand, and slammed it down: “Crack!”

Her band of ruthless women immediately approached, tearing apart the window hangings, smashing the plaques, and cursing loudly.

The shop door burst open with a woman in a bright red dress, her face heavily made up, sprinting out while shouting, "Oh my goodness, oh my goodness, what in the world are you all doing here?"

"Let Liu Man come out!"

"Yes, let Liu Xiucai come out, and I’ll have a good look to see which sly fox of a woman kept him out all night!"

Soon, a disheveled middle-aged man was pushed out into the confused gaze of Xiao Wugou.

Though slender in build, this scholar was no ordinary man—dodging and weaving with fluid grace, he avoided the woman’s outstretched fingers like a master evading a trap.

"My lady, my lady, let’s speak calmly, don’t strike, don’t strike—"

But the woman behind him, clad only in a waistcloth, lacked such skill. She was dragged out and beaten mercilessly by the furious women, trembling uncontrollably with fear.

Such a scene drew not a single word from Chen Yi, who kept cracking his walnuts, while Wang Liheng and others could only stare in open-mouthed disbelief, their faces splitting into wide, delighted grins.

Only Xiao Bei cowered behind Chen Yi, too terrified to look up.

As for Xiao Wugou, he had no idea what was happening—purely out of curiosity, he watched the scuffle unfold.

"Brother, shall we go now?"

Chen Yi glanced at him, then noticed a prompt materializing before them:

[You have discerned the subtle art of Liu Xiucai’s movements, earning the reward: Yellow Level Skill—Dancing Dragon Playing Phoenix, +4 to destiny.

Evaluation: Observe life’s myriad facets, witness the audience’s expressions.]

Chen Yi glanced at the message, his face going pale. "Let’s go."

Dancing Dragon Playing Phoenix?

If this skill were used against Xiao Huhong, the lady of the house, he’d probably fail to dodge even a single slap.

(End of chapter)