Chapter 104: The Wind Rises at the Scarlet Pavilion

“The Protector has won.”

Inside Feiyuan Academy, a scholar held a piece of paper in his hand. It recorded the latest intelligence from the Demon Suppression Division. Observing remotely with divine perception was exhausting; it was only used when absolutely necessary. Moreover, it was easy to be detected—if someone struck with martial will, they could dispel the divine perception, causing soul damage.

“Qingyi, Teacher Liu’s class is starting. Let’s go together,” a young girl with a cute face ran over, smiling brightly at Chu Qingyi.

“Xiaoqing, Teacher Liu is back? Didn’t he go to the Fala Empire for study abroad?” Chu Qingyi calmly folded the note away, looking at Zhou Xiaoqing with surprise.

“Teacher Liu arrived at Feiyuan Island last night and returned to the academy. I heard he went through a lot in the Fala Empire this time, so his academic knowledge must have greatly advanced. But I’m not interested in academics—I just hope he’ll share his experiences in the Fala Empire with us,” Zhou Xiaoqing said, her face full of longing.

In her eyes, the Great Yuan Empire was an old, outdated regime, while the Fala Empire represented a new world. The future of civilization would surely be led by the Fala Empire.

Chu Qingyi sneered inwardly but wore a gentle smile. “My favorite is the latest idea of the separation of powers in the Fala Empire, along with their democratic thought of returning power to the people.”

A pack of wolves in sheep’s clothing, disguised as innocent lambs—when they devour you, they even wear a sorrowful face, making you believe they have no choice. Behind the scenes, pulling the strings of the Fala Empire’s major powers and dethroning the monarch’s divine authority was the Black Heavenly God Cult.

Monarchical power was divinely ordained—but not by the Black Heavenly God Cult’s deity. Therefore, the cult had to proceed cautiously.

At present, these matters did not affect Chu Qingyi. What truly kept him vigilant was that Baili Feihong had made contact with Jia Renyi and toured the entire town of Zhennan, walking every street.

Chu Qingyi was unsure whether the Black Heavenly God Cult had been detected by Baili Feihong. This was something he needed to consider carefully and remain cautious about. If exposed, it would mean cutting off a limb—his identity must remain hidden. The cult’s search for something on Feiyuan Island was not yet complete.

“Teacher Liu’s study trip to the Fala Empire has coincided with the Zhennan Naval Forces’ great defeat, further straining relations with the Fala Empire. He might be targeted. During class, we can’t be too close to anything related to the Fala Empire.”

Reflecting on this, Chu Qingyi regretted having said so much to Zhou Xiaoqing earlier. He had revealed too much information, but Zhou Xiaoqing was kind and innocent—easy to guide.

“The power of the Demon Suppression Division is already overwhelming. Just dealing with Baili Feihong alone is difficult.”

Even Commander Yan and the Zhennan Naval Forces had failed to capture Baili Feihong. Their brief clash had caused little disturbance, but at Chu Qingyi’s level, the residual force from the fight allowed him to deduce his opponent’s strength. Commander Yan was slightly superior. Perhaps with the power of the Apostles, they could handle Yan Fei.

Baili Feihong was slightly inferior to Chu Qingyi, but he practiced the Demon Suppression Six-Path Scripture. All the secret arts of the Black Heavenly God Cult were countered by this scripture.

“Find an opportunity to lure Baili Feihong to the Northern Island, provoke a forbidden battle between him and the island, and eliminate him.”

Chu Qingyi was wary of the young Protector, who was even younger than him. The great opium case in Dongbin City was his doing. Chu Qingyi’s clan had been exterminated by Baili Feihong’s Blood Suppression Mountain and River technique.

Those fools were dead and gone—Chu Qingyi felt no sorrow. But his father, Chu Tianxing, had become a wanted man, targeted by the Demon Suppression Division—that was what truly angered Chu Qingyi. It meant he was likely to be watched.

...

“Madam Wang, we won’t entertain outsiders tonight.”

At the Yihong Courtesan House, the brothel’s manager, Yu Meiniang, wore a worried frown as she informed Madam Wang. Yu Meiniang had been brought up by Madam Wang herself. Without Madam Wang’s protection in the capital city’s Manhua Brothel, she would have been ruined by a group of rich young masters long ago.

Later, she left the capital, crossed the seas, and arrived at Feiyuan Island. As a girl, unsure what else to do, she found many women who had been trafficked to Feiyuan Island. Unable to bear their suffering, she purchased them. But as the number of suffering women grew, she had no choice but to resume her old profession.

Yihong Courtesan House had a rule: if a girl refused to sell herself, no matter how much money was offered, no guest was retained. Ironically, this rule made the business flourish.

“Meiniang, which young master threatened you?”

Though Madam Wang was a brothel madam, she was a great beauty. If not for her age, she could compete with the courtesans of Yihong Courtesan House.

“It’s not a young master, but someone more troublesome,” Yu Meiniang sighed.

She was a natural beauty. Even the Commander of the Zhennan Naval Forces on Feiyuan Island was a frequent guest. Yet she had kept herself pure all these years. Commander Yan was courteous and never forced her into anything; he merely enjoyed her music while drinking on his own. Thus, everyone assumed she was Commander Yan’s woman, and she did not deny it. On Feiyuan Island, Commander Yan’s word was law.

Being misunderstood was actually a blessing for her and the girls at Yihong Courtesan House. Girls needed a patron in the end.

Wang Qin’s heart flared with anger. To her, Yu Meiniang was like her own daughter. She had arranged for Yu Meiniang to come to Feiyuan Island from the capital to protect her. Yu Meiniang did not know Wang Qin’s true identity in the Black Heavenly God Cult, which was fortunate.

Chu Qingyi had recently become an Apostle; she knew he was a rising star within the cult with limitless potential. She had planned to introduce Yu Meiniang to Chu Qingyi, but Chu Qingyi never even glanced at Yu Meiniang; instead, he showed enthusiasm toward her.

At first, Yu Meiniang was uneasy, but she understood the immense power Chu Qingyi wielded as an Apostle. If he wanted her, it would take only a snap of his fingers.

Wang Qin did not care.

“Meiniang, don’t you even trust me anymore?”

“No, it’s not that. Yihong Courtesan House has been booked out tonight,” Yu Meiniang said hastily.

Wang Qin had treated her well, and Yu Meiniang depended on her deeply, even seeing her as a godmother.

But with Wang Qin’s secret identity, Yu Meiniang did not want any trouble if the guests sensed anything tonight.

Wang Qin’s identity was special. Yu Meiniang had heard of the Huajian Sect, now considered an evil faction. If the Demon Suppression Division found out Wang Qin came from the Huajian Sect, they would never spare her.

“Oh, is Commander Yan here? That old fox finally showed his tail. Hmph, he already has nine concubines. I heard he recently obtained a noble beauty from the Fala Empire, stolen from Han Feiyuan. A disciple’s woman, yet the master also samples them?”

Wang Qin’s words dripped with sarcasm.

“Madam Wang, it’s not Commander Yan. He has no improper thoughts toward me. To him, I’m just a niece of the Yu family,” Yu Meiniang said.

No one knew the true relationship between Commander Yan and Yu Meiniang. The Yu family was once a noble clan in the capital but had fallen out of favor with the Crown Prince faction. Her father was executed, the family’s property confiscated, and she was sent to the music bureau as a child.

Commander Yan was a close friend of her father, a fellow student, and comrade-in-arms. His visits to Yihong Courtesan House were to protect her.

“Hmph, when the Crown Prince faction purged the Yu family, perhaps the Yan family was pulling strings behind the scenes,” Wang Qin said coldly.

Yu Meiniang looked troubled, and Wang Qin’s heart ached.

“Don’t bring that up. Yihong Courtesan House doesn’t just let anyone book it out. Just refuse him.”

The brothel’s madam spoke casually. It was strange that she had not heard about such a major incident at Yihong Courtesan House earlier that day.

“It’s the Demon Suppression Division.”

“What?”

Wang Qin was shocked as she looked at Yu Meiniang.

“Yes. An old man named Qin Tiesheng, a Demon Suppression Agent, came to us. He told us that tonight the Protector would come to Yihong Courtesan House, and the Protector, worried someone might disturb his mood, booked the entire place.”

Yu Meiniang’s frown deepened.

Wang Qin now understood why Yu Meiniang looked so anxious.

The conflict between the Zhennan Naval Forces and the Demon Suppression Division had become the talk of the town.

Tonight was the banquet day for Commander Yan to entertain the Protector.

Countless eyes across the city watched closely.

The Feiyuan Chamber of Commerce had sent four million gold coins into the Demon Suppression Division.

The entire city was in turmoil.

Many villains had their eyes on this huge sum.

The details of the Demon Suppression Division could be uncovered with careful investigation.

Apart from the newly arrived Protector, only eight elderly men, half-buried in the earth, remained.

Who would not be tempted by such an opportunity?

If Chu Qingyi had not ordered them to restrain themselves, some of them would have acted already.

Chu Qingyi, however, was unmoved. His family had trafficked huge quantities of opium over the years, amassing fortunes rivaling kingdoms.

Much of the Black Heavenly God Cult’s rapid growth was due to the Chu family’s wealth.

Wang Qin took a deep breath; her ample chest rose and fell, a hint of snow-white skin visible beneath. Many men had fallen under her charm, willing to serve her as beasts of burden.

“Meiniang, the new Protector is volatile and bloodthirsty. We at Yihong Courtesan House must not be careless. Tell the girls to stay alert and avoid offending anyone.”

Wang Qin thought for a moment and gave further careful instructions.

Yu Meiniang nodded gravely.

They had entertained many distinguished guests on Feiyuan Island and often mingled with imperial princes and nobles in the capital, but never with such tension.

The Protector was only the lowest rank in the Demon Suppression Division, but his arrival had caused a citywide storm.

This storm was one of blood and violence.

The Feiyuan Chamber of Commerce was the largest guild on Feiyuan Island.

For anyone, it was a giant presence.

The Han family, founders of the chamber, had been wiped out on the day the Protector set foot on Feiyuan Island.

The Feiyuan Chamber building was hailed as a miracle on the island, a tower reaching the skies that symbolized maritime wealth, but the Protector had severed it with a single blow, reducing it to ruins.

“Madam Wang, Meiniang understands.”

As if making a firm decision.

Wang Qin was preoccupied, her mind filled with Baili Feihong’s impending visit to Yihong Courtesan House.

Why was he coming here? Was it really for Yu Meiniang?

If not for the near false accusation against Jia Renyi at Yunlai Restaurant, she might have believed Baili Feihong came for Commander Yan, since everyone knew Yu Meiniang was a favored guest of Commander Yan.

Wang Qin was uneasy.

As a former disciple of the Huajian Sect, she had evaded their pursuit for years with the aid of demonic sensing.

Having mastered this skill to perfection, she now sensed a connection between this matter and Jia Renyi.

Perhaps Jia Renyi had been exposed.

This time, the enemy was coming for her.

What should she do?

Her first thought was to find Chu Qingyi, but she quickly dismissed it.

Protecting the Apostle was the Black Heavenly God Cult’s task for the four of them.

If Baili Feihong learned her identity, rushing to Chu Qingyi would expose him.

Chu Qingyi was protected by the cult; his trace was nearly impossible to detect by any secret technique.

But she was different.

“What’s meant to come will come.”

“Stay still for now and watch how things unfold.”

“Maybe this young Protector is really after Yu Meiniang.”

“I could pass the information on.”

“Let’s see how Commander Yan at the Governor’s Mansion reacts. Let’s observe the Zhennan Naval Forces’ response.”

“From this, we might deduce what really transpired between Commander Yan and Baili Feihong.”

Wang Qin, an experienced madam, quickly calmed herself and turned the crisis into an opportunity.

She summoned the guards of Yihong Courtesan House and wrote a letter to send to Zhong Ziling.

Zhong Ziling had a special status.

Once the letter reached Zhong Ziling, Commander Yan would surely respond.

If not, that would be a grave matter.

Dusk was approaching.

Wang Qin stood outside Yihong Courtesan House, continuously turning away visitors.

“Sister Qin, you’re being unfair! I’m hosting friends tonight, and you won’t even let me in!”

A wealthy young master in the city shouted angrily.

His companions were no ordinary people; they were important business partners within Great Yuan territory.

They had come to Yihong Courtesan House to entertain and show them Feiyuan Island’s charms, but as a distinguished guest, he was refused entry by a mere brothel madam.

“Madam Wang, if you don’t give me an explanation, don’t blame me for being rude,” the young master’s tone turned cold, the formality fading.

“Master Wang, please don’t be angry,” Wang Qin forced a smile. “You don’t know our predicament. Tonight, the entire house is booked by Protector Baili Feihong. Even if I dared to let you in, you wouldn’t dare offend this honorable guest.”

At the mention of Protector Baili Feihong, the young master’s expression shifted.

“Sister Qin, sorry to trouble you. We’ll take our leave.”

He quickly led his guests to a nearby brothel.

“Master Wang, is a local Demon Suppression Division Protector enough to scare you so much?”

One of his companions frowned.

Every city within Great Yuan had its Protector.

Though the Demon Suppression Division was fearsome and the Protector wielded great power, to them, it was just a local official—why be so afraid?

“Brother Qian, you’re new here and unaware of the chaos these past three days on Feiyuan Island, but to us businessmen, this Protector is a demon.”

Master Wang thought of Han Feiyuan, the young master of the Feiyuan Chamber of Commerce, with whom they were acquainted.

Yet the island’s top young master was already dead.

He was still Commander Yan’s disciple but had met his end.

“In short, we keep our distance. The Protector’s visit to Yihong Courtesan House promises a show. Yu Meiniang, the madam, is Commander Yan’s favored guest, so clearly, this is aimed at the Zhennan Naval Forces’ Commander Yan.”

“You mean the Zhennan Naval Forces can’t handle one Protector?”

The esteemed Master Qian raised his brows with interest.

“The Demon Suppression Division has been repressed too long. The new Protector’s first fire burned the Zhennan Naval Forces, the second scorched the Feiyuan Chamber, and the third will burn us all.”

Master Wang lowered his head. “The Feiyuan Chamber sent four million gold coins to the Demon Suppression Tower today. Thousands of villains lurking in the city rushed there, trying to seize the funds during the meeting between Commander Yan and Baili Feihong. Every one of those thousands was slaughtered. This happened only a few hours ago; the news came from the Patrol Department.”

“Thousands? Standing still, even a Protector would need hours, right?”

“No, less than ten minutes total.”

Master Qian whispered.

His eyes gleamed with curiosity as he exchanged glances with his peers; they were clearly interested in this Protector.

If the Protector could truly suppress the Zhennan Naval Forces, they might recruit him to serve their interests.