Chapter 84: The Fairy of a Hundred Blossoms

A basin of cold water jolted Bai Li Feihong awake.

"Boy, it's time to wake up," the prison warden barked.

Bai Li Feihong stirred, still reeling from the effects of intoxication. "Where am I?"

"The prison."

"Prison?" Bai Li Feihong shuddered.

"You dare! Do you know who I am?" He sprang to his feet, roaring in fury.

Clatter! Heavy iron chains bound tightly around him, holding Bai Li Feihong in place.

"I don't care who you are. Even a dragon must coil before me, Qin the Warden," Qin said with disdain.

"I am a First-Class Demon Suppressor of Dongbin City's Demon Suppression Bureau. Release me at once, and I will spare your life," Bai Li Feihong threatened coldly, his face dark.

"Oh, so you’re some big shot from the Demon Suppression Bureau? Too bad—here, neither gods nor men will answer your cries," Qin folded his arms and sneered.

"Hmph! When the Bureau's army arrives, you’ll regret it—but it will be too late," Bai Li Feihong's eyes flickered with panic, though his words remained resolute.

"So you’re a lone wolf. I heard that the Nanshan County requested support from Dongbin City, but only a single First-Class Demon Suppressor came, full of arrogance, and ended up chased away by the people. That must be you," Qin's mocking grew sharper.

"Nanshan County? You have spies there? Who are you people? What is Baohua Town? Why is there no mention of Baohua Town in Dongbin City's gazetteer?" Bai Li Feihong did not get angry. Instead, he fired off a series of questions.

"You need only know that you are soon to be dead. A First-Class Demon Suppressor as a sacrifice—our Mountain Lord will be pleased," Qin laughed coldly as he turned and left the prison.

Bai Li Feihong drew a deep breath, a smile in his eyes.

The play begins.

He had not acted in the inn, and now ended up in prison—why? Was it not to lull the enemy into complacency, allowing them to proceed with their Baohua Festival?

"Iron chains forged from meteorite—a shackle even a Spirit Refining master may not break free from."

"They’ve taken pains."

Bai Li Feihong exhaled softly.

He had surrendered only because he was certain he could escape these bonds.

"The Demon Compass has been confiscated."

"From what Qin said, the commotion caused by my slaying of the Wokou pirates went unnoticed by Baohua Town."

"So, I only frightened off the Black Tiger Mountain Lord."

"And that Mountain Lord did not inform Baohua Town of the anomaly he sensed."

"Nanshan County is riddled with holes, spies everywhere," Bai Li Feihong thought bitterly of the county, deeply dissatisfied.

Truth be told, Dongbin City was just as rotten.

It was only after the arrival of Governor Gongyang Yan that the mess was cleaned up.

Baohua Town.

The air was abuzz.

At dawn, a torrent of people flowed toward the grand plaza at the rear of Baohua Town.

In this moment, Baohua Town was a sea of colors, the fragrance of flowers thick enough to intoxicate, as though flower spirits had descended, transforming the place into a celestial realm.

The flowers vied for beauty, yet only the poppy was most seductive.

This flower of sin did not repel—on the contrary, guests were enraptured.

Most who arrived were brokers—representatives sent by hidden bosses.

The true bosses would never risk the arduous journey or their lives, but sent trusted aides or commissioned reputable brokers to negotiate partnerships.

Running opium dens used to be small profit—high investment, high risk.

Now, with plantations, they controlled the upstream source, and the profits came from the whole world.

What could a single opium den earn? The lion’s share had always gone to several major families in the Farrah Empire.

Farrah and foreign nations eyed the Great Yuan Empire hungrily—one shift could ruin their business.

But with upstream materials, every crop was gold—one could harvest the world’s wealth.

"It’s finally begun," a tantalizing scent wafted in.

Bai Li Feihong opened his eyes, murderous intent sharp.

He had been listening carefully to conversations throughout Baohua Town, gathering information.

Now, he understood the town completely.

"It’s time to cleanse this nest of poison."

The blazing Fire Palm of the Demon Suppression Five Elements gathered terrifying heat; he grasped the chains, softening the meteorite iron, and broke free.

Baohua Plaza.

Countless petals floated in the air, forming a crimson floral path overhead.

Four fairy maidens carried a flower palanquin, upon which sat the Flower Fairy, step by step walking the suspended path.

"A sect's fairy—what a display of celestial power!"

"The Flower Sect’s Flower Fairy—truly beautiful!"

Over a thousand people had gathered in the plaza.

Nearly all the town’s residents, plus outsiders—totaling about fifteen hundred.

"We welcome the Flower Fairy to Baohua Town!" Mayor Qin bowed deeply, kneeling in reverence.

"We welcome the Flower Fairy to Baohua Town!"

The fragrance grew thicker.

The crowd in Baohua Plaza was swept into madness, kneeling to greet the Flower Sect’s arrival.

Veiled, the Flower Fairy was like a goddess, lofty and serene, basking in the frenzy of her devotees.

Just then—

A black wind swept down from the mountain; a shadow transformed into mist, descending upon the altar.

Its immense, imposing form appeared.

Dense black fog enveloped it—each wisp a tormented soul.

Under the sunlight, the souls wailed in agony.

Yet, with the strange fragrance, these hellish cries rang as celestial music to the crowd, as if they ascended the nine heavens.

Qin the Warden’s gaze burned with fanaticism, yet he lamented, "Guarding you wretches made me miss the Baohua Festival, miss the Flower Fairy’s blessing," he spat bitterly, his eyes bloodshot, rage consuming him.

From the cells, prisoners called out, "The Flower Sect’s magic is but a deception for common folk—those of strong will can see the Flower Fairy's true face, see the Black Tiger Mountain Lord’s true nature."

"That Mountain Lord is a demon, controlled by the Flower Sect’s illusions, watching over Baohua Town’s residents."

"You fail to see the truth, worshiping demons—your fate is sealed, destined to become food for monsters."

Several prisoners shouted from their cells.

"Silence! Blasphemers of the Flower Fairy shall die," Qin’s eyes blazed, a strange energy surging from him.

Ghostly, demonic, or perhaps an evil martial power.

"He's become a minion of the Tiger Demon."

"Day and night they worship the Mountain Lord, their minds turned to incense, devoured by the Black Tiger Mountain Lord—their essence drained, they are puppets, invaded by demonic energy."

"This demon is wicked—why has the Demon Suppression Bureau not eradicated the Black Tiger Mountain Lord?!"

"Heaven is blind!"

Qin seized the fire tongs from the brazier.

His favorite torture—branding with hot iron.

"Don’t you know? Last night, they brought in a First-Class Demon Suppressor from the Bureau."

"The one you pinned your hopes on is locked in our dungeon."

"His fate—to become a sacrifice for the Mountain God."