Chapter 38: Red Sleeve Inn, Heavenly Aroma Pavilion

The Gandharva was dead.

The King of Yakshas had gone insane.

Both were great heroes of the Great Boundless Palace’s Eight Divisions who were placed on the Moon Martial Ranking List.

They had high hopes of entering the eighth Mortal Stage to ascend into the Sun Martial Ranking List.

Yet they met their demise within the imperial city of the Zhou Kingdom. It was truly an unbelievable incident.

That was why when news got out, the initial reaction from most people was of shock, followed by various questions.

What exactly happened to them?

Did the Gandharva die under the hands of Master Yuanhui of the Heavenly Dragon Temple?

Did he then displayed his greatness and beat Moro to a state of idiocy?

Naturally, the Heavenly Dragon Temple had begun dismissing the rumors soon after.

They claimed that Master Yuanhui did not take any actions at all and all that had nothing to do with him.

As for the exact details of the incident, they were not in the position to share them.

With that, countless wild speculations circulated.

For example, one claiming that the old eunuch by the emperor’s side was actually an Innate Grandmaster.

With unfathomable cultivation, he killed both the Gandharva and Moro with a flick of his fingers.

Some even claimed that Marquis Zhao Kai had long broken through to the Spiritual Transformation Stage but was keeping a low profile. They claimed that his actions this time were to make the Yuanmeng Empire’s Imperial Preceptor, Phags-pa, show himself.

Some even claimed that the Gandharva was still alive, but had caught the fancy of the emperor and was taken in as a concubine.

There were many more rumors of that nature.

That was how the world of martial arts worked.

The truth was not important.

Everyone only wanted an interesting topic to talk about.

“How did the Gandharva die?”

Zhao Mu feigned ignorance and asked within the cold palace’s library.

“I’m not sure. The Black Dragon Altar kept a lid on the incident. Eunuch Chen from the Ceremonial Directorate had also placed a strict ban on palace servants to ever bring up about the matter.”

Zhao Yuan seemed to have regained his lively demeanor after finally being relieved of the great stress in his heart.

“Why didn’t you come over lately? Did Imperial Tutor Wen assign you homework again?”

Seeing his brother happy again caused Zhao Mu’s lips to curl upward. ‘Perhaps the Gandharva didn’t die in vain.’

It was not a waste for him to use up all the 230 thoughts he polished with great effort to imprint those eight characters containing the essence of the three divine arts.

The martial will of three Innate Grandmasters successfully shocked everyone.

With the matter finally passed, he would be able to focus on his cultivation and go back to his old easygoing lifestyle.

“Ah, that’s not the case. Lately…Father met the Yuanmeng ambassador envoy. All the princes were present and things got a little busy so I didn’t come to disturb you.”

Zhao Yuan was usually quick-witted. However, when faced with Zhao Mu, he lost his composure and started stuttering.

He did not plan to tell his brother that he almost got taken away by the Gandharva to the great snowy mountain beyond the great wall to be a legacy disciple of the Living Buddha.

Mentioning it would only bring more troubles.

His brother stayed within the cold palace. He had no authority and would often be looked down on by others within the imperial palace.

Even if he knew, what could he change?

Meow!

Right when Zhao Yuan was thinking hard to make up another lie, a big cat rushed quickly into his arms.

“Eh, since when did you have a cat?”

Zhao Yuan was rather surprised.

He was at the second Mortal Stage and had excellent reflexes, yet he did not manage to evade Big Kitty’s sudden charge.

“I picked it up by the library,” Zhao Mu chuckled as he replied.

“This little guy would often steal food. Since I didn’t lack food the last time I caught it, I decided to keep feeding it.”

Zhao Yuan was still a child at heart. As he caressed the smooth fur, a smile appeared on his face.

That big cat’s eyes seemed to be filled with intelligence.

It kept blinking in an adoring way.

“Did the Yuanmeng ambassador envoy leave?”

Zhao Mu shot a glance at Big Kitty that was licking its paws. He similarly had a smile on his lips.

“Yes. They were escorted out of Tianjing City by the Black Dragon Altar’s chariots. Father was magnanimous and did not pursue the matter of Moro breaking into the imperial city and released him back with them.”

Zhao Yuan rubbed Big Kitty’s wave-like chubby body. The latter had a blissful look on its face and would not stop groaning.

“That’s good.”

Zhao Mu let out a sigh.

It was only half a month more to the emperor’s birthday.

He needed to place all his energy on cultivation and imprinting his Dao marks.

He did not wish to be disturbed by other people or incidents.

…

Deep in the night…

Shadow Guardian Commander Zhou Wen stepped out of the Black Dragon Altar’s courtroom, getting on a black carriage alone.

“To Peace Alley.”

He took a seat in the spacious carriage.

A priceless white bear pelt was placed inside along with a lighted incense burner.

Given normal circumstances, there should also be a beautiful lady there waiting for Zhou Wen’s affection.

It was known to all within the imperial court that the Shadow Guardian Commander was a lecherous man with a varied taste.

He once brought three prostitutes from the Red Sleeve Inn for a ride of their life within that exceptionally spacious carriage.

During that time, the carriage would not stop and toured more than half of the 108 streets within Tianjing City.

On the outside, people were selling their wares on the crowded street.

On the inside, was three on one fight of romance and sweet words.

Ever since news of that spread, all the playboys within Tianjing City gave him a thumbs up and commend the commander’s know-how in enjoying himself. They even came up with a new term of ‘carriage-shaking’.

Since then, a lot of prostitute centers offered services for carriage rides around the city to satisfy their curious customers.

“Go!”

The driver swung his whip and made a cracking sound.

Peace Alley had the largest gold sink within Tianjing City, the Red Sleeve Inn.

Zhou Wen would often stay there overnight when he was free.

Previously, some upright ministers and scholars would list his many sins to complain about him.

However, it amounted to nothing.

Instead, those people were captured by the Black Dragon Altar soon after and thrown into jail, all of them meeting a horrible fate.

From then on, the ministers of the imperial court understood that the Black Dragon Altar was not to be offended!

Unless His Majesty willed it, none would be able to go against the four commanders!

“Sir, we’ve arrived at Peace Alley.”

The driver had also become one of Zhou Wen’s trusted servants. He asked bluntly, “Would you like to order dinner for a table at the Moon Abode first, or head directly to the Red Sleeve Inn?”

Zhou Wen rubbed his pulsating temples and said softly, “Red Sleeve Inn.”

Within 15 minutes, the carriage came to a stop and the sounds of crowds could be heard.

Even if one had never seen it, just the aroma of cosmetics and perfume filling one’s nostrils would be sufficient to make one lose their mind.

“San’er, you don’t have to wait here. You can come to pick me up tomorrow morning.”

Zhou Wen got out of the carriage smugly.

The moment the pedestrians saw the black koi uniform, they quickly moved out of the way as though they had just seen the God of Death himself.

However, the pimp welcoming at the gate had a charming smile on his face as he approached.

“Commander, Miss Yuanyu had been missing you for the past few days and wondered why you didn’t come to visit her.”

Zhou Wen seemed unwilling to talk and ignored him, taking big strides into the main hall of Red Sleeve Inn.

The hall was lively and filled with beautiful artists and prostitutes of varying tastes.

Some were performing, some were entertaining with drinks. It was a lively scene.

“Mr. Zhou is here! Miss Yuan and Miss Bai have been waiting for you. Would you like to listen to some music in the private chamber on the second floor first? The two ladies will come to serve you once they are done with their makeup.”

The pimp in his thirties had a passionate look in his eyes.

The main reason Red Sleeve Inn could operate in Peace Alley without the disturbance of the local sects was due to this particular commander of the Black Dragon Altar’s frequent visits.

That was why nobody dared to stir up trouble.

“I’m tired today. Skip the music.”

Zhou Wen waved away, showing a cold expression on his gentle face.

“You have a new lady here named Yun Qing right? Bring him over to the Heavenly Aroma Pavilion.”

Upon hearing that, the pimp had a bitter expression.

Yun Qing was the most popular person in the Red Sleeve Inn and had not slept with anyone.

The young master of the Left Chief Minister’s household and Marquis Fang’s eldest son were both interested and fawning over her.

To win her smile, they had spent a fortune trying to compete with each other

“Sure. Please wait for a moment,” the old pimp replied quickly.

Compared to the young master of the Left Chief Minister’s household and Marquis Fang’s eldest son, the Black Dragon Altar seemed to have greater power.

Offending the Shadow Guardian Commander might lead to him being branded as a traitor one day and thrown into jail, only to be sentenced to death.

It was fine to lose a money tree.

As long as he was alive, he could continue to make more money.

Very soon, a plain and noble-looking stunning beauty wearing a white ruqun entered the elegant Heavenly Aroma Pavilion.

The old pimp sensibly closed the doors. His face had a sincere pained expression.

Once the virgin courtesan had slept with someone, her value would drop and no longer be in high demand.

The nobles and scholars came for those who only sold their art but not their bodies.

If executed properly, Yun Qing’s virginity would be worth hundreds of gold.

What a pity…

It could not be helped when the Black Dragon Altar had power and was difficult to reason with.

Even the Left Chief Minister and Marquis Fang might not wish to sow enmity with a guardian commander over a virgin courtesan.

“What’s going on? Is the Gandharva really dead?”

However, the exciting and passionate scenes of life did not happen in the room.

When the virgin courtesan of the Red Sleeve Inn asked coldly as she sat right across Zhou Wen.

“Dead. Her head was blown apart and her brains splattered everywhere.”

The Shadow Guardian Commander famed for his lecherous nature remained expressionless without looking up.

“Who did it?” Yun Qing asked.

“I don’t know,” Zhou Wen answered.

“Is it the Black Dragon Altar’s lack of proper investigation, or you really don’t know?”

Yun Qing twirled with strands of her hair as her eyes showed a curious glint.

“It’s possibly done by an Innate Grandmaster. His Majesty banned us from bringing up this matter. I believe he’s hiding something,” Zhou Wen replied honestly.

“Could it be the work of the Grand Commander Guardian?”

Yun Qing seemed to know more.

“It shouldn’t be. There no need.”

Zhou Wen shook his head.

“His Majesty wanted to lose the challenge and have the Eleventh Prince be a legacy disciple of the Living Buddha.

“If nobody killed the Gandharva, the Black Dragon Altar would’ve pulled some strings to let Master Yuanhui lose.”

Yun Qing smirked, then said softly, “The emperor sure is ruthless to sacrifice his son… Then again, he’s already lost a few sons. As long as the Crown Prince is alive, the others don’t really matter.”

Zhou Wen’s brows twitched, then asked with a lowered voice, “Since the Left Messenger has entered the capital, when will the sect master arrive?”

Yun Qing withdrew her smile as her gaze took on a cold intent, answering, “I’m not sure of the whereabouts of the sect master. If all goes well, it should be within five days.

“You previously mentioned that the Grand Commander Guardian has come out of closed-door cultivation. When did you get wind of that?”

Zhou Wen placed his palm on the table. He did not answer, but returned with another question, “The sect master’s coming to Tianjing City this time is for the Taiji Yin Yang Coffin, isn’t it?”