[Fantasy] The Rogue Landlord (Complete) - Chapter 40 (End)

Chapter Five: Lightly Teasing Yao Lu

As if entering a fairyland, her whole body felt light and comfortable. She savored the normal flow of true energy within her body. Each completed cycle brought a qualitative leap. After her internal injuries healed, there was no longer any pain in her body. When the true energy finally settled after circulating round and round, Xu Ping finally breathed a sigh of satisfaction and slowly opened his eyes. It was already high in the sky.

With a slight movement of his internal energy, Xu Ping was surprised to find that his internal injuries were completely healed, and his internal strength was much more vigorous than before, as if he had inexhaustible energy. However, he did not feel that he possessed the power of a Heavenly Grade expert. This evil technique was truly powerful.

"How do you feel?"

Shi Tianfeng stood to the side, his face still bearing a gentle smile. As he spoke, he casually picked up the gourd at his waist and took a sip of wine, looking both carefree and relaxed.

Xu Ping quickly stood up, looked around and, not seeing the two Heavenly Rank experts, hurriedly checked his body while excitedly laughing, "I'm really all healed! I've never felt so good before! Where are the two seniors? I really need to thank them properly. Without this method, I don't know how long it would have taken for my injuries to heal."

"They're gone!"

Shi Tianfeng smiled smugly and said, "They're drunkards like me. Zhang Congjia's wife was frail and sickly and died long ago. His children are doing well in the countryside now, and he doesn't care about them. He just hangs out with us old bachelors."

"Is that so!"

Xu Ping chuckled. Song Yuanshan was nowhere to be seen. Thinking of how he'd almost lost his life thanks to Song Yuanshan, he figured he was probably crippled by now. Xu Ping immediately put on a stern face and asked, "Where's Song Yuanshan? Where did that guy go?"

Shi Tianfeng shook his head, somewhat mockingly saying, "Pushing the Qi out of the body is a very dangerous method. Although you won't get much of his internal energy, not even a tenth, Song Yuanshan has already died from the loss of his true energy and broken meridians. He's probably been taken to feed the wolves by now."

"What a waste,"

Xu Ping muttered. The power of a Heavenly Grade! And they couldn't even make good use of a tenth of his internal energy. This was simply a terrible waste, a sin.

"Alright, I'm leaving now. You're healed, I should go back and report."

Shi Tianfeng hummed a little tune, turned, and walked out, waving his hand with a nonchalant air.

Xu Ping was in high spirits and, unusually generously, exclaimed, "Please thank the two seniors for me. You can take any of the treasured wines from the best wine cellar at the Bailixiang Winery in the capital..."

"Understood,"

Shi Tianfeng's voice was indifferent, but what Xu Ping couldn't see was the sly, smug smile on his face as he turned away, his old face beaming with teeth showing.

"Master!"

Zhang Hu had also been awake for some time, standing awkwardly to the side, seemingly uncomfortable even in the slightest movement.

"You little rascal!"

Xu Ping chuckled, patting Zhang Hu's shoulder approvingly. "I never expected you to break through to the Earth Rank at such a young age. Even your ancestors said your talent is truly astonishing. How are you feeling now?"

Zhang Hu winced in pain, shrinking back slightly, and said with a wry smile, "Master, if you keep patting me, I'll fall apart. I was exhausted like a dead dog just now, and now every muscle and bone in my body aches. I don't even dare to move. Reaching the Earth Rank is a good thing, but now my whole body aches, and I don't know what the difference is. I don't feel happy at all."

"Greedy fellow!"

Xu Ping glared at him fiercely, knowing that after the torture he had just endured, Zhang Hu had many external injuries and probably strained all his muscles, so he stopped touching him.

Zhang Hu smiled helplessly, then his eyes suddenly lit up with a hint of envy as he said, "Master, Song Yuanshan's skill is so profound, even taking one-tenth of his power would be a great achievement. How are you feeling now?"

"How am I? Look!"

Xu Ping couldn't hide his ecstatic joy. Suddenly, he clenched his hands, roared, and his entire body erupted with vortex-like true energy, bursting outwards like ocean waves. His imposing aura was much stronger than before he was injured.

"Upper Earth Rank!"

Zhang Hu immediately felt unsteady on his feet, taking a step back from the gust of wind. His eyes lit up, and he clasped his hands in a fist salute, saying, "Congratulations, Master! You've broken through another rank! At this rate, reaching the Heaven Rank is just around the corner! Your talent is truly unparalleled!"

"Talent my foot!"

Xu Ping withdrew his aura, shaking his head and sighing, "It's still cultivation achieved through external force. He needs some time to properly adjust before he can truly understand this realm."

"Hehe!"

Zhang Hu chuckled憨厚ly, but with just a slight movement, his entire body ached, and he couldn't help but grimace. Xu Ping had intended to take him for a while longer, but seeing how much he had to rest after every step, sweating profusely and panting heavily, looking like an old man having a heart attack, Xu Ping simply found a car and took him back to rest. The excessive muscle damage made Zhang Hu feel ashamed, but unfortunately, his body couldn't take it anymore, so he had to rest for the time being.

Damn, that felt great! Xu Ping continuously circulated his inner energy throughout his body, a comfortable, silly grin plastered on his face. He hadn't felt this energetic in days. His fists clenched tightly, feeling the increasing power within him. With a mere thought, a surge of powerful inner energy would erupt—it felt incredibly exhilarating.

The Ministry of Justice officials had been guarding him outside the gate the whole time. Xu Ping nodded in satisfaction, got into his carriage, and, having nothing else to do, leisurely strolled through the streets. He realized it had been a long time since he'd gone out for a leisurely walk alone, and he was enjoying this rare moment of peace. He observed the lives of the common people and wondered if there was anything to amuse himself.

No matter how turbulent the times, or how tense other places were, as long as the capital remained untouched by war, it would always be the most luxurious and decadent place on Ming territory. Despite the uproar of yesterday's events, as dusk fell, the corrupt remained corrupt, and those indulging in drinking, gambling, and whoring continued their debauchery, almost making one question the authenticity of the shock brought by the Prince of Zhenbei's arrival in the capital.

The streets were brightly decorated, bustling like a festival, with a constant flow of traffic. Evening was a favorite time for some, and many brothels gleamed with opulence. Prostitutes happily accepted money from their clients, undressing as they went. The clients, in turn, gladly paid to enjoy their bodies, a scene of decadent indulgence.

Of course, besides these depraved brothels, many other places offered a different kind of charm. In the cool autumn breeze of the lakeside pavilions, talented men and beautiful women, reciting poetry and appreciating the moon, flaunted their allure, putting on airs for future encounters. Each one was refined and polite, appearing perfectly proper, as if they had lost all sexual desire. In the bustling city center, families strolled together, while vendors hawked their inexpensive goods, their shouts and laughter echoing through the night. The capital city at night was even more lively than during the day.

The four hundred heads that had fallen to the ground that afternoon were long forgotten by the people of the capital. The market street was as bustling as ever that evening, showing no sign of the afternoon's bloodshed affecting the area. Perhaps the people of the capital were used to such things; those who wanted to play continued to play and make merry, laughter echoing everywhere.

After tying up the carriage, Xu Ping joined the crowd to explore the capital's night market. He remembered that on his last visit, he had encountered the charlatan Chen Daozi and even confirmed his relationship with his beautiful mother-in-law. He wondered what interesting things would happen this time.

Vendors selling candied hawthorns called out their wares, and there were vendors carrying baskets of wontons at the alley entrances. Various sweet pastries and snacks made the children's mouths water; their eager expressions were quite endearing. Xu Ping's appetite also increased, but unfortunately, there was just too much to choose from. He walked halfway down the street without eating a single thing.

The bustling scene and vibrant atmosphere left Xu Ping feeling somewhat bewildered. Was this really the capital? If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he would have seriously doubted whether Ji Long's rebellion was real or not. The people seemed completely unconcerned, going about their lives as usual—they were truly carefree.

"Ah! What's going on?"

"Ah, my God!"

Suddenly, a panicked commotion erupted from the crowd, with screams of terror rising and falling. The surrounding people were all screaming, and the night market instantly descended into chaos. Many people cowered to the side in fear, while others continued to scream. Xu Ping glanced to the north and saw a disturbance; something seemed to be rampaging, turning the once orderly street into a mess.

Xu Ping quickly went to see what was happening. By then, many stalls on both sides had been overturned, and people were scrambling for cover in fear, cursing loudly. Upon closer inspection, he saw a horse-drawn carriage recklessly weaving through the crowded market, completely disregarding whether anyone was there. After knocking over stalls and several pedestrians, it still showed no sign of stopping.

The driver was a cunning-looking young man, dressed like a wealthy man's butler. He laughed arrogantly, waving the reins and shouting viciously, "Get the hell out of my way! You deserve to be trampled to death!" He had

just knocked over another person, but he showed no sign of stopping; instead, his laughter grew even more smug. Xu Ping frowned. Who was this guy? Even officials in the capital knew to keep their heads down; he had never seen anyone so arrogant, daring to act so domineeringly in public. Wasn't he afraid of offending some powerful figures?

The coachman continued his arrogant shouting. Before the carriage had even passed the bustling intersection, it had already knocked down more than twenty people. The surrounding crowd seemed to know the carriage's origins; some, even those who had been hit, dared not speak out, only glaring fiercely at him. Xu Ping, unable to bear it any longer, was about to teach him a lesson when a sudden obstacle appeared. A graceful figure leaped out from the panicked crowd, her long, flowing skirt fluttering beautifully in the air. After clearing the crowd, she let out a sharp cry and kicked the coachman hard.

The coachman was no pushover either, clearly a skilled fighter. He immediately sensed the danger, punching upwards with both fists, managing to fight back to a standstill. With a "thud," the attacker was sent flying back.

"Insolence!"

The coachman, also clearly hurt, seemed to have never encountered anyone daring to interfere in such a matter before. He immediately jumped up, his face darkening, and charged towards the attacker, his ferocious appearance truly frightening.

Once the graceful figure finally regained her balance, the surrounding men couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, "What a stunningly beautiful woman! Her figure and appearance are those of a rare beauty!" Yao Lu wasn't skilled in external martial arts or internal energy combat, and in her anger, she had underestimated the coachman's strength. She hadn't expected him to be a first-rate expert, which led to her suffering a great loss.

Now, she quickly regained her footing, her face cold as she twirled her skirt, sending invisible threads piercing towards the coachman. The coachman was no pushover either; he immediately sensed the slight anomaly. He clenched his fists, shouted, and forcefully deflected the threads before aiming his fist directly at Yao Lu's face. "

Damn it, he has no mercy!" Xu Ping, seeing the situation was dire and realizing Yao Lu's delicate threads couldn't harm him, quickly leaped to the side, shielding her. He roared fiercely and met Yao Lu's fist with a powerful punch.

The coachman didn't care who the newcomer was; he attacked ruthlessly and mercilessly. He figured killing one or two was the same, so his fists didn't stop, and he actually tried to exchange blows with Xu Ping.

The two fists collided, producing a muffled thud. After a "whoosh," the coachman screamed and flew backward, crashing into the carriage before falling to the ground. Upon closer inspection, his hand was twisted, with broken bones protruding from the flesh in some places. Anyone with eyes could see that his hand bones were completely broken; even if healed, he would be crippled. "

Feels so good!" Xu Ping closed his eyes, savoring the exhilarating feeling of his true energy expanding. In an instant, he unleashed a power of Earth-grade strength, far beyond what the coachman could withstand. Fortunately, his internal injuries had healed today; otherwise, rashly trying to save Yao Lu would only have worsened his injuries.

"Ah..."

The coachman convulsed in pain, clutching his hand and rolling on the ground, his hysterical screams providing a satisfying experience for the onlookers.

Yao Lu was still shaken. She hadn't expected a coachman to possess such skills. If someone hadn't come to her rescue, she might not have been able to defeat him. Looking at the tall figure in front of her, the familiar scent enveloped her, and she blushed, whispering, "Sir, what are you doing here?"

Xu Ping turned around, seeing her shy and happy expression, and felt a surge of joy. The "hero saves the beauty" tactic, though old-fashioned, was very effective. Clearly, this delicate beauty was secretly in love. He immediately smiled gently, full of concern, and said, "If I weren't here, you would have been in trouble!"

"Thank you."

Yao Lu felt a little embarrassed by Xu Ping's gaze, shyly lowering her head, her small hands fidgeting nervously with her sleeves. She looked like a young girl experiencing her first love, a far cry from the graceful and elegant figure she had on Pingfang Mountain.

The common people's favorite and easiest thing to do is watch a spectacle. Seeing the coachman's disheveled state, they immediately clapped and cheered, their joy as if they had been cuckolded. The cheers gave Xu Ping a sense of vanity and satisfaction, making him feel like one of those so-called heroes, and a hint of smugness appeared on his face.

With such a commotion outside, the people inside the carriage naturally couldn't sit still. A fat man adorned with gold and silver slowly stepped out of the carriage. He was covered in expensive gold and silver jewelry, with five rings on one finger alone, making him look quite unusual. However, those fine clothes looked incredibly vulgar on him, lacking any air of nobility, and instead making him look like a country bumpkin who had suddenly struck it rich.

The fat man, his face contemptuous, was furious to see his lackey lying on the ground groaning. He cursed, "Where did this troublemaker come from, daring to block my carriage?"

Xu Ping chuckled, taking Yao Lu's hand in his. The soft, boneless fabric felt wonderfully comfortable. Yao Lu blushed, glanced at Xu Ping shyly, and then lowered her head, showing no intention of pulling her hand away. The two walked forward like a pair of celestial beings, the handsome man and the charming woman drawing cheers.

Xu Ping looked at the fat man, trying to recall if he recognized him. He knew the powerful and arrogant types in the capital; this man was definitely not one of them. After a moment's thought, he immediately asked with a smile, "May I ask which region you're from? How about giving your name?" The fat man snorted

, his face stiff, and said arrogantly, "You don't even know who my brother-in-law is? You dare to bump into my carriage? You've got some nerve! Are you from out of town?"

"Brother-in-law?"

Xu Ping was slightly taken aback. His uncle was the brother-in-law, wasn't he? However, upon reflection, there were quite a few concubines in the harem, and their brothers were also considered imperial brothers-in-law. Thinking about it, it was possible, but he hadn't paid attention. Besides, his father's tastes were truly unacceptable.

Seeing Xu Ping's stunned expression, the fat man assumed he was terrified and immediately began to arrogantly hurl insults: "You lowly commoner! Knowing I'm an imperial brother-in-law, why don't you kneel down and beg for mercy? To offend a member of the imperial family in the middle of the city! I'll report you and have your entire family executed!"

"This…"

Xu Ping feigned embarrassment, saying with great shame, "Sir, there are countless imperial brothers-in-law in the capital. If the city wall collapsed, at least two would be killed. Please tell me, which branch of the imperial brother-in-law are you?"

Everyone burst into laughter. The fat man's face turned pale and then red, looking extremely unpleasant. Xu Ping's words made him lose face, but his eyes suddenly lit up when he saw the beautiful Yao Lu, and he said with a lewd smile, "I'm magnanimous enough not to bother with you. Who is this young lady beside you?"

Yao Lu's face immediately turned cold, her eyes flashing with murderous intent as she glared at him. Xu Ping was also greatly displeased, coldly snorting, "You fat pig, you don't know what's good for you! Asking who you are doesn't mean you're being polite, don't even dream about it. I'm just calling your family to collect your corpse later."

"You audacious commoner!"

Upon hearing this, the fat man immediately roared angrily, "My sister is Consort Hui, currently enjoying the Emperor's favor. Every official respectfully calls me 'Imperial Brother-in-Law,' and you dare to speak so arrogantly! I'll take your head!"

"Consort Hui, is it?"

Xu Ping chuckled coldly, suddenly raising his hand and slapping the fat man across the face. It felt good to slap someone with so much flesh, unlike slapping a skinny person where all you could touch was bone.

The "smack" was very loud, and many people subconsciously clutched their cheeks, making clicking sounds. The fat man, struck hard by Xu Ping's slap, immediately saw stars and collapsed to the ground, his mind reeling and dazed.

Before he could recover, Xu Ping stepped forward, squatted down, grabbed him by the collar, and without a word, unleashed a flurry of slaps, one on each side. The fat on his face jiggled like tofu, a pitiful yet comical sight.

The resounding slaps and the fat man's muffled groans of pain made the surrounding onlookers feel their own faces sting. After a while, the fat man's screams gradually subsided. When Xu Ping stood up, the fat man had already passed out, his eyes rolled back, his mouth horribly swollen, his face bruised and battered, blood and saliva dripping from his open mouth—a rather disgusting sight. Several knocked-out teeth lay on the ground.

The coachman, too weak to scream, collapsed to the ground, convulsing in cold sweat, the fat man slumped beside him, limp as mud, unable to move. The pitiful state of the wicked master and servant immediately drew cheers from the surrounding crowd. Many people, displaying their gossipy nature, began to discuss:

"This guy deserved to die. He acted arrogantly outside because his sister was favored. He used to be just a small-time hoodlum in the city. Now he's met his match. It's a miracle he wasn't killed..."

"Oh, he's rich now. Which rich person isn't arrogant and domineering? If you're so capable, you can be like him."

"What? He's a pig-brained idiot who can make money? Don't lie to me!"

"Seriously, don't judge him by his brain. But he has a great older sister. You know, the Emperor only has a few concubines these days, and he's so busy with state affairs. How many are truly favored? After Consort Hui gained favor, this guy's influence skyrocketed. He went to the Ministry of Revenue and took on a lot of work. It's said that just for replacing a city gate, he asked for a whopping five thousand taels. How could anyone in the Ministry of Revenue dare say no? And that's how the money went into his pocket..." The most gossipy person, seeing that others didn't believe him, got anxious and immediately started describing it vividly.

"No way? You can get a decent gate for a hundred taels? That means he made a net profit of four thousand nine hundred taels! That's faster than robbery! No wonder he's decked out in gold and silver..." Everyone immediately exclaimed in amazement.

"Making money this way is really fast! No wonder this guy is so well-fed now. This is better than any other business..."

The crowd's discussion made Xu Ping's face darken. He and his father had always lived frugally for the sake of the country. The Ministry of War's grain supplies, the relief of refugees, and the management of the Yellow River were all expenses. They almost wished they could make every tael of silver count as two. But the Ministry of Revenue's tax revenue had been embezzled by such a useless person. This was a disgrace to the court.

Seeing Xu Ping's face instantly turn cold, Yao Lu felt a chill run down her spine. After hesitating for a moment, she mustered her courage and timidly said, "Sir, there are more and more people, are you perhaps..."

Xu Ping didn't want his identity to be exposed in front of so many people. He snorted coldly, grabbed her hand, and squeezed through the crowd, leaving the fat man and the coachman to fend for themselves. However, he had just seen the constables from Shuntian Prefecture mixed in with the crowd. With the situation in the capital tense, any commotion couldn't go unnoticed. But seeing Xu Ping there, they couldn't show themselves. All they could do was clean up the mess, which saved Xu Ping a lot of trouble.

Having made quite a splash earlier, they inevitably attracted a lot of attention and people pointed and whispered along the way. The two avoided the gazes of others, sneaking around like lovers. Finally, when they couldn't see anyone following them anymore, Yao Lu breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing that her hand was still being held, she became a little shy. Looking up, she saw Xu Ping looking serious, as if he was thinking about something. His furrowed brows exuded a captivating masculine charm, and she was momentarily stunned.

Xu Ping was still preoccupied with how much money had been embezzled this way, and how much it would be if all of it could be recovered. He didn't notice the little stars in Yao Lu's eyes as she looked at him. If she had, he probably would have taken her home immediately to discuss some adult topics.

After wandering aimlessly for a while, Xu Ping finally came to his senses. Looking at Yao Lu beside him, who was gentle and docile, and had been quiet and considerate throughout the journey without disturbing him, he immediately smiled and asked, "By the way, Yao Lu, what are you doing out tonight?"

Yao Lu gently withdrew her hand and said shyly, "Nothing, I just came out for a stroll."

"Really?"

Xu Ping looked at her suspiciously. This girl was obviously lying. She spoke evasively, and an unnatural glint flashed in her eyes, but it wasn't hard to tell that she was definitely hiding something from him.

The beautiful woman before him, her shy demeanor utterly alluring, her hesitant embarrassment possessing a unique kind of sensuality, captivated Xu Ping. He gave her a lecherous look, then suddenly pulled her hand and led her into a dark alley, pressing her against the wall. He pressed his soft, fragrant body against hers, inhaling her delicate, alluring scent, while threatening, "Just tell me honestly what happened!"

"R-really nothing!"

Yao Lu lowered her head shyly and guiltily, feeling her heart pound uncontrollably, her ears burning. She was instantly enveloped by a man's presence, her mind becoming hazy.

"Nothing!"

Xu Ping chuckled lecherously, suddenly pressing his body tightly against hers. He felt her full, elastic breasts pressing against his chest, his hands immediately moving downwards, reaching her high, round, fragrant buttocks through her skirt. They were firm and elastic to the touch, and he couldn't help but gently squeeze them.

"Master, please don't..."

Yao Lu struggled frantically, but dared not cry out due to her modesty. The burning sensation on her buttocks made her weak.

Her twisting body aroused Xu Ping's lust. Just as Yao Lu begged for mercy, she opened her small mouth, her rosy pink tongue moving provocatively. Xu Ping's mind went blank, and he immediately kissed her, panting heavily. His tongue darted around, sucking on her delicate tongue.

"Ugh..."

Yao Lu was even more embarrassed and overwhelmed. Her tender first kiss was gone just like that. Xu Ping rubbed her buttocks while teasing her tongue. In no time, Yao Lu, who had never experienced love, was weak all over, whimpering softly, losing the strength to resist, and her eyes became even more hazy.

A long, wet kiss followed. Yao Lu, bewildered by her first kiss, barely responded, stiffly allowing Xu Ping to caress her. But this only added to the pure charm. Xu Ping chuckled and kissed her for a while before releasing her. Looking at the beauty's shy yet passionate expression, he licked his lips with lingering pleasure and said with a smile, "So fragrant!"

Yao Lu was slightly breathless, her face already flushed with a captivating blush. She bit her lip and gave Xu Ping a flirtatious glare. During the kiss, Xu Ping's teasing kiss had made her swallow hard. Although the taste was wonderful, this first intimate contact with a man made Yao Lu feel somewhat hesitant and uneasy.

"Baby, how did it feel?"

Xu Ping withdrew his large hand from her buttocks, smiling as he pulled her into a tight embrace. Yao Lu struggled a couple of times before obediently leaning against Xu Ping, coquettishly saying, "Master, you're so naughty..."

"Hehe!"

Xu Ping chuckled smugly. This girl still used the way she addressed him back at the Crown Prince's residence, calling him "Master" repeatedly. Her sweet, coquettish voice was pleasant to listen to. Their relationship was already established; it was only a matter of time before he slept with her.

Just then, Xu Ping noticed an elderly woman nearby, watching the two flirting with indifferent eyes. Seeing that there was nothing to see, she smiled, slowly walked past them, gave them a knowing look, and then said nothing. Her calm expression as she walked into the alley was astonishing.

The two stared in disbelief as the old woman calmly walked past them and slowly disappeared into the dark alley. It took Yao Lu a while to recover, her face flushed. She patted Xu Ping's chest and said shyly,

"It's all your fault! Everyone saw us..."

"Hehe, it's alright!"

Xu Ping was also a little annoyed. He'd been so engrossed in the kiss that he hadn't noticed this knowledgeable old woman watching. What a failure! But the old woman's calm expression was truly admirable; her composed demeanor was impressive. She must have experienced many exciting things like this in her youth.

Yao Lu playfully broke free from Xu Ping's embrace, her face flushed, and ran out of the alley. Her face still radiant with a delicate blush and shy bashfulness. Xu Ping immediately followed, laughing. Although he didn't make any more advances, he still said a few lewd things, making her blush and pout. Amidst her charming coquettishness, she couldn't help but chuckle softly.

As they were about to reach the Prime Minister's residence, Xu Ping used the same trick again, pinning her against the wall and looking at her lewdly. He said with a sly smile, "Tell me or not, this is your last chance. If you don't confess honestly, my sisters-in-law might come out to watch the show. I'll have to give them a lesson on how to properly celebrate their wedding night."

Yao Lu pushed Xu Ping away forcefully, looking genuinely terrified. She was almost crying as she spoke, "Master, it's really nothing! I was just taking a walk!"

"Nothing?"

Xu Ping grinned lewdly, as if to say, "I'd rather you didn't tell me," and made a move to undress her.

Thinking of her sisters still in the manor, and how she would live if they saw her like this, Yao Lu hesitated for a long time before finally saying helplessly, "When Lord Guo returned this afternoon, he was attacked by a masked man. The attacker was also a mid-level Earth Rank expert. Although he was repelled by the guards, Lord Guo was slightly injured. We arrived later and split up to chase after the masked man."

"What?"

Xu Ping's eyes widened in surprise. At this critical moment, it was indeed easy to overlook Old Guo, but who would dare to target a first-rank official of the court at this time? It was simply audacious!

Chapter Six: The Storm Is Brewing.

Under further questioning, Yao Lu explained what had happened. It turned out that Guo Jinghao had been extremely busy lately. After the Ji Long Rebellion, he had carried out a large-scale massacre of Ji Long's followers and some dissidents. Afterwards, he had also strengthened his defenses, with two Earth Rank experts and twenty or thirty strongmen accompanying him for protection every time he went out, and so far nothing had happened.

But coincidentally, that afternoon, after reporting some matters to Zhu Yunwen, he had forgotten to bring his guards with him in his haste. Just as he reached his doorstep, he was suddenly attacked by a masked woman in black. The woman was highly skilled in martial arts, wielding a sword. Guo Jinghao was slashed on the shoulder, but fortunately, his guards, alert and on guard, caught up and subdued her.

The disciples of the Hundred Flowers Palace in the courtyard, hearing the commotion, rushed out. Seeing that the attackers outnumbered her, the attacker didn't linger. Relying on her superior skills, she fought and retreated. Her lightness skill was also remarkable; she managed to escape unscathed from the encirclement of so many people. Moreover, she seemed very familiar with the capital's layout, weaving through the streets and alleys, quickly shaking off her pursuers.

"Is that so?"

Xu Ping frowned immediately upon hearing this. There were still such experts in the capital? If they were truly capable, they shouldn't have escaped the court's notice. He immediately asked with concern, "Is Old Guo alright? Did they capture him?"

"No!"

Yao Lu shook her head dejectedly, saying somewhat sadly, "This is the first time I've seen such incredible lightness skill. She moved with effortless grace, every step so elegant and effortless. Even with so many people, they couldn't capture her. She's truly amazing."

"I'll go in and check on Old Guo!"

Xu Ping suddenly became wary. Did Ji Long still have so many experts at his disposal after the chaos in the capital? What was the purpose of this ambush on Guo Jinghao? He wouldn't be so foolish as to think that killing Old Guo would cause the court to suspect Ji Zhongyun and attack him. Impossible! Ji Long wasn't that stupid!

As Xu Ping turned around in thought, a group of brightly dressed young girls came running over, chattering excitedly. They were all beautiful young women, each with a graceful figure and a pure, charming air. Their light dresses and delicate makeup were quite a sight. Seeing the two whispering amongst themselves, the girls immediately surrounded them, grinning and saying, "Oh, brother-in-law, it's been so long!"

Yao Lu blushed instantly, glaring at them and saying irritably, "What time is it?

You still have time to joke around like this." A clever and cute-looking girl stepped forward, giving Yao Lu a knowing look, and said with a playful smile, "No, senior sister, even if we know what time it is, you're still flirting like this. We're just saying hello, why are you so nervous?"

Xu Ping immediately recognized them as the Hundred Flowers Palace disciples who had helped him on Tianfang Mountain last time. The sight of these girls surrounding him was dazzling; each one was beautiful and charming, captivating at first glance. Xu Ping clasped his hands in a fist and fist salute, saying with a mischievous grin, "Hello, sisters-in-law!"

"Hehe!"

A female disciple who seemed a bit bolder stepped forward, stared at Xu Ping for a moment, and then said in a teasing tone, "I say, brother-in-law, you're really not being fair! Last time, we sisters helped you so hard, but after returning to the capital, you disappeared without a trace. They say lovers are fickle, and that's absolutely true. You don't even come to see us, but at least come to see your senior sister! It's making her so worried, she can't eat or sleep. What's that saying again..."

She made a troubled expression, but a mischievous smile played on her lips. The group of girls around immediately burst into laughter and recited in unison, "I grow thinner and thinner, yet I have no regrets, for I smile until I am haggard..."

Yao Lu was immediately overcome with shyness, secretly glancing back at Xu Ping, her shy affection in her eyes needing no words.

The women's chorus was incredibly soothing, their delicate voices both comforting and subtly alluring. Their melodious laughter eased Xu Ping's mood considerably, but remembering business was more important, he quickly crossed his arms and said, "Alright, let's chat another time. I'll go in and check on Old Guo."

The girls then surrounded Xu Ping with giggles, saying, "No need to go! Lord Guo sensed something was wrong, so he treated his wounds and went to the palace. He's not home right now!"

Fine, don't worry about me wasting my time on men. Looking at the group of beautiful young women before him, Xu Ping suddenly became serious and began counting the female disciples: "One, two, three..."

The women, confused, exchanged puzzled glances. Curiosity piqued, they couldn't help but ask, "Brother-in-law, what are you counting?"

Xu Ping finished counting seriously, then gave a lewd smile and said, "They say a sister-in-law is half a brother-in-law's butt. There are sixteen of you here, exactly eight of whom are my little butts. Hehe, quite an auspicious number!" " You're so

annoying!"

"Pervert!"

The girls, all virgins, blushed with embarrassment, while the bolder ones chuckled. Yao Lu, also finding Xu Ping's words a bit too explicit, couldn't help but scold, "Master, how can you..."

Before she could finish speaking, Xu Ping vanished like a ghost. Before she could react, her junior sisters cried out in surprise, their faces flushed with embarrassment as they watched him disappear with a flourish of his light-footed skill.

Sixteen bouncy little buttocks! Xu Ping leered at the scent of the virgins in his hands, then looked back at the girls' adorable, embarrassed and angry expressions. He couldn't help but laugh out loud, lewdly shouting, "Little sisters, your brother-in-law enjoyed touching you. I'll come back for those eight buttocks when I have time!"

"You big pervert!"

"You lecher!"

the girls cursed in their sweet voices. It was too late to catch Xu Ping now; they could only let themselves be taken advantage of. Some were blushing and at a loss, while others were furious. In this era where chastity was paramount, the consequences of this touch were clear to them.

"Alright, you lot!"

Yao Lu gloated as she saw the group of sharp-tongued girls had all been taken advantage of. "Now you know you can't mess with servants, right? You've all been touched! How are you going to get married now!"

"You lecherous brother-in-law!"

The youngest girl, with her pretty face and rosy lips, seemed the most shy and could only mutter curses under her breath.

The eldest girl, however, wasn't afraid and teased Yao Lu directly, saying with a smile, "Don't worry, when our sister Yao marries, she'll just be a maidservant, watching others celebrate their wedding night. She'll never have to worry about food or drink again, won't she?"

The other girls also smiled and echoed, "Yes!" After all, they had grown up together since childhood and were like sisters. Naturally, their gathering was filled with laughter and chatter. Before long, Yao Lu gave in, blushing again as the girls teased her. Thinking of what had happened that day, a shy smile unconsciously appeared on her lips.

"My martial arts are back! This feeling is amazing!" Xu Ping excitedly leaped from rooftop to rooftop, tirelessly enjoying the comfort of his newfound lightness skill. The freedom of flying with the wind was truly delightful. After leaping for a while, Xu Ping landed on the roof of a brothel. Suddenly, a large hole appeared in the roof, and he crashed to the ground with a series of cracking sounds.

"Damn it! What kind of rotten tiles are these? The quality is terrible! Even with my lightness skill, they still broke! They're like tofu!"

Xu Ping scrambled to his feet, cursing as he brushed the broken tiles and dust off his body. If everyone used such junk, the life of a womanizer would be miserable.

"Ah!"

The couple who were having an affair in bed were immediately stunned, dumbfounded as Xu Ping cursed them beside their bed.

Xu Ping calmly glanced at them. The man was fat, the woman ugly—not at all erotic. He immediately said in a steady tone, "You two continue. I just thought your buttocks would be better raised a bit. Your posture just now wasn't quite right, you know?" He then acted as if nothing had happened, opened the door, and walked out.

"Thank you!"

The customer, still not quite understanding what was happening, actually thanked him. Startled, his already small penis shrank even further. Sigh, he'd frightened a like-minded friend; what a sin! Xu Ping shook his head and sighed as he walked out of the brothel, feeling a pang of guilt. He hoped this fellow customer hadn't suffered any sexual dysfunction from the fright, which would affect the city's nighttime prosperity and cost him some tax money.

Humming a tune, Xu Ping strolled into a rather elegant bookstore. Though small, the shop was tastefully decorated. A handsome shopkeeper immediately greeted him with a smile, saying obsequiously, "Young master, are you looking for books or calligraphy? We have all kinds of bound volumes!"

"No, no!"

Xu Ping shook his head, smiling obsequiously. "I'm here to solicit a prostitute."

The shopkeeper's forehead instantly broke out in a cold sweat, and he said apologetically, "I'm sorry, this is a bookstore, not a brothel. You've come to the wrong place."

"Who's in the wrong place!"

Xu Ping glared, saying fiercely, "Last time I came, I saw your owner soliciting a prostitute. I clearly remember the woman was eighty-three, very mature!"

Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper felt a slight pain in his chrysanthemum, but quickly looked around warily before closing the door. He pushed open a bookshelf, revealing a hidden door, and waved his hand respectfully, saying, "Sir, please come in!"

"Hehe!"

Xu Ping couldn't help but chuckle, covering his mouth as he followed him inside.

After turning a small path, they came to a spacious courtyard resembling a martial arts school. Inside, a group of robust men were exercising, each wielding swords and spears with great spirit. Lou Jiu sat on the steps, reviewing intelligence reports while occasionally looking up to reprimand them; he seemed to have been extremely busy lately.

"Master!"

Lou Jiu's face immediately turned cold upon seeing Xu Ping arrive. He waved his hand and shouted, "Alright, that's enough for today. You may all leave now!"

After the disciples had left, Lou Jiu respectfully ushered Xu Ping to the main seat in the hall, his face a mixture of bitterness and pleading. "Master, how about we change the code?"

"Why?"

Xu Ping feigned surprise. "These codes are excellent. Most people wouldn't come up with such good codes!"

Lou Jiu's face flushed red, looking like he was about to die. "But you have to come up with something normal. Last time, when Miss Liu sent someone over, that polite fellow was surprised and asked if I really had an eighty-year-old wife. It made me feel quite embarrassed."

"Lou Jiu!"

Xu Ping patted his shoulder, feigning profundity. "A code that's too formal is easy to guess. And think about it, what if we use poetry or songs as codes? What if someone accidentally blurts it out, and the shopkeepers bring them in? For safety's sake, there's no other way!"

"No!"

Lou Jiu pleaded desperately, his voice trembling with tears, "Master, I beg you, please change it! These brats are respectful to me now, but as soon as these codes are mentioned, they all laugh secretly. How am I supposed to lead them like this?"

"How about this?"

Xu Ping frowned, pondering for a while. Finally, seeing Lou Jiu's expectant gaze, his eyes lit up, and he excitedly said, "How about this? My code is: 'Today, Master wants a virgin.' You say: 'No virgins, but we have young boys!' I say: 'Get lost, Master isn't into that kind of thing.' You say: 'Master, it was really good! Last night I had a wonderful time with a handsome man, the feeling was intoxicating!'"

Lou Jiu felt a wave of dizziness wash over him, tears streaming down his face, blood splattering everywhere, and he lost control of his bladder and bowels. Having such a master, he felt that death would be the best relief. Why did he have to live to suffer this torment?

"Alright!"

Xu Ping didn't want to joke anymore. He waved his hand and asked sternly, "Any new developments lately?"

Lou Jiu, though annoyed, quickly became serious and slowly said, "Nothing special, but Ji Long still has quite a few people in the capital. We've cleaned some out, and arrested quite a few in Shuntian Prefecture, but there are still some spies around. Now, Miss Liu is also keeping an eye on suspicious people entering the city. We all believe that Ji Long still has many people lurking in the capital, and we must not let our guard down."

"After so many years of cultivation, it's indeed difficult to eradicate him completely." Xu Ping closed his eyes and sighed deeply. Although Ji Long was hateful, one had to admit his outstanding talent. Although he was cautious in every step he took while serving in the court, he still managed to make his wings very strong. It wouldn't be easy to get rid of him so quickly.

"Master!"

Lou Jiu smiled slightly, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said, "Guan Daming led three battalions of the Fierce Tiger Battalion on a surprise attack, sweeping away the rebel forces throughout Shanxi with four thousand soldiers. Victories are pouring in, and the day when the rebellion in the Northwest is wiped out is not far off."

"Nonsense, that's news from so many years ago!"

Xu Ping said dismissively, but he was secretly pleased. Guan Daming was like a tiger that had been imprisoned for a long time without food; once released, he immediately exuded boundless power, launching a night raid on Shanxi and routing those rabble. The success of the operation far exceeded everyone's expectations.

After carefully listening to some seemingly insignificant intelligence, Xu Ping earnestly praised Lou Jiu's quick thinking during the siege of the Crown Prince's residence, gave him some instructions, and then left Lou Jiu's place. Lou Jiu pondered his master's instructions carefully, diligently arranging the upcoming tasks. However, the mere thought of those coded messages brought tears to his eyes. He considered himself a hero, yet he had such a despicable and vile master. He wondered what sins he had committed in his past life!

Walking back along the night road, Xu Ping reflected on Guo Jinghao's attack. He vaguely guessed something, but couldn't quite grasp it, leaving him somewhat bewildered. Actually, this was a minor matter compared to Ji Zhongyun's arrival in the capital. He had originally thought eliminating Ji Zhongyun would suffice, but now that he was here, the question was whether he dared to act. The court's attitude was one of genuine reluctance; after all, Ji Zhongyun's Hungry Wolf Camp was utterly loyal, and any mishap would have dire consequences.

"Ji Zhongyun!"

Xu Ping sighed, shaking his head. He truly couldn't think of any solution. His plan was indeed brilliant!

Upon entering the manor, despite the respectful demeanor of the servants and guards along the way, Xu Ping still felt a pang of nostalgia for the convenience of Uncle Liu's immediate reports of intelligence. Uncle Liu's religious ceremonies were still being held with great fanfare, and Xu Ping's respect for him had earned him the loyalty of many members of the Demonic Sect. However, the emergence of a traitor at this time, causing the Demonic Sect to crumble, was indeed extremely hateful.

Upon hearing of Xu Ping's return, Lin Ziyan was overjoyed, like a newlywed bride awaiting her lover. She quickly dressed and ran out to check, but Xu Ping was nowhere to be seen. She immediately asked her maid, puzzled, "Where is Master?"

The maid shook her head blankly and said, "This servant doesn't know either. His Highness the Crown Prince seemed to have packed some things and gone out."

Lin Ziyan felt increasingly uneasy and immediately asked anxiously, "What about Zhang Hu?"

"He went out with His Highness," the maid honestly confessed.

North of the capital, a carriage slowly approached the encampment of the Demon Camp. Zhang Hu, his face solemn, drove the carriage, enduring the intense pain throughout his body, as it lurched along the uneven road, his expression tense and serious.

"Who goes there?"

Several soldiers immediately blocked the carriage at the entrance of the Demon Camp.

Zhang Hu remained expressionless, flashing the token at his waist, and said, "The Crown Prince has ordered the entire Demon Camp to assemble."

Unexpectedly, the guards didn't heed his words, instead raising their spears at him warily, coldly stating, "The Demon Camp doesn't recognize any tokens. We are the Crown Prince's Imperial Guard, and even the Ministry of War's orders cannot be disobeyed."

"You!"

This was the first time Zhang Hu had encountered a situation where an imperial warrant was useless, and he immediately became angry.

"Very good!"

A voice of approval came from inside the carriage, then the curtain opened slightly, and a golden object flew rapidly towards the guards.

The soldiers, none of whom were skilled in martial arts, were momentarily stunned. But a thick, muscular arm caught the incoming golden light, revealing a seal—the Crown Prince's decree!

The owner of the arm was a stern-faced man. He immediately recognized its authenticity, respectfully raising the seal high while kneeling and shouting, "This humble general, Chen Qi, respectfully welcomes the Crown Prince!"

The soldiers froze, quickly kneeling and shouting in unison. Zhang Hu said nothing, his expression indifferent as he drove the carriage into the camp. Before Chen Qi could react, a suction force pulled the seal back into the carriage.

At midnight, when everyone was sound asleep, a series of urgent gong sounds echoed throughout the entire Demon Camp. The officers immediately snapped to attention, quickly donning their armor, grabbing their weapons, and assembling. Their orderly movements revealed the arduous nature of their training.

The sheer number of the 20,000-strong Demon Camp troops assembled was astonishing, though most were wondering what the purpose of this midnight gathering was. At that moment, Chen Qi ascended the beacon tower, coldly surveyed the area, and shouted,

"Demon Camp, all troops, listen to my command! Mount your horses!"

"Yes!"

the generals roared in unison, quickly mounting their horses. The 20,000 finest horses sent by Amutong had already reached the Demon Camp. The combined shouts of the 20,000 men and the neighing of the horses created a powerful and awe-inspiring sound.

The Demon Camp soldiers instantly transformed into cavalry, their faces beaming with excitement as they awaited Chen Qi's orders. After all, he had become the highest commander after Zhao Meng's departure to stabilize Hebei. However, Chen Qi respectfully knelt facing south, leaving them all bewildered.

In the main camp to the south, under the watchful eyes of the 20,000 men, a jet-black steed slowly emerged, each step seemingly imbued with majesty. Anyone with a discerning eye could tell this horse was a peerless steed, its coat gleaming, its eyes sharp, its strength and spirit commanding respect—truly the king of horses.

But what was most astonishing was the rider. He wore a strange, black chainmail suit; its dark color provided excellent camouflage in the night, while the gleaming sheen revealed its exceptional craftsmanship. His chest was muscular and handsome, his expressionless face radiating an aura of supreme dominance, yet also a chilling, demonic presence.

Even more terrifying was the helmet he held, unlike any other. It featured half a lifelike mask—a three-eyed, grotesque demon. The empty half of the mask seemed to possess a life of its own, instantly inspiring fear.

Xu Ping, now in full military uniform, approached the soldiers with an icy expression and shouted in a chilling voice, "All generals of the Demon Camp, heed my command! Assemble your units! The entire army marches forth!"

At this moment, Chen Qi and Zhang Hu, also in military attire, stepped forward, one on each side. The Demon Camp, known as the Crown Prince's Imperial Guard, was renowned for its strict discipline

. No one dared to whisper; instead, they collectively roared in a thunderous voice, "Yes, sir!" "Target: Tianjin." Xu Ping's face hardened, and with a flick of the reins, his horse galloped out of the camp.

"Silence!"

Chen Qi shouted, catching up. The Demon Camp soldiers, their faces frosty, didn't even exchange a word. Following the order, they rode out one by one, a dense, dark mass, the only sound the clatter of hooves. Their discipline was truly astonishing.

The common people were all sound asleep, completely unaware that the once bustling Demon Camp had vanished overnight, heading towards Tianjin with boundless killing intent.

End of article

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