I've never felt happy to become an immortal.

Chapter 131 Embroidered Uniform Guard: 6 (6k)

Bai Xuan entered the brothel.

Hongxiulou is considered one of the more famous brothels in the area.

In ancient times, brothels served more as social venues, places for the literati to interact. Whether it was wine or women, those were merely secondary.

The business competition among brothels in Langya is quite fierce, but it would be hard to believe that the Lin family wasn't secretly supporting them.

In ancient times, brothels were notorious money dens. If a family couldn't control such a massive flow of funds, it couldn't be considered a prominent family.

If Bai Xuan really became the Lin family's son-in-law, I'm afraid that the moment he appeared on this street, all the brothels would slam their doors shut.

No one dared to receive them.

Anyone who dares to receive them will be lying dead in the river the next day.

Bai Xuan arrived in disguise, and his appearance was unknown to the world... at least ordinary people would have a hard time knowing what he looked like.

Because his white hair was too conspicuous, Bai Xuan dyed it back to black before going out so that he wouldn't be noticed in the crowd.

I've been in Southern Chu for several months now, and this is my first time visiting a brothel here. I feel a strange sense of nervousness.

I couldn't help but frown slightly at first glance.

Because what you usually see is not pretty girls, but a group of boys... The boys with red lips and white teeth stand outside the building, with slender figures and looks that are no less than those of women.

Of course, they can also provide sexual services.

Men should do men's things.

Sigh, I feel like I'm just going around in circles in Chengdu no matter where I go.

They are scattered everywhere.

Bai Xuan is a normal man, so naturally he prefers to look at the milky-white Xuezi.

Just as he walked over, a fair-skinned boy of about fifteen or sixteen years old approached, tossed him a piece of silver, and said bluntly, "Today I came to the Red Sleeve Pavilion, I have to see Miss An Shu perform the Palm Dance, or at least hear Miss Liu Sheng play the zither. If I can't see either, I won't spend my money here."

The young man greeting the customer was slightly taken aback, then immediately paused, thinking that he was the kind of person who was difficult to deal with, the kind who would shout "Call all the pretty girls over!" as soon as he entered the door, but was actually the kind that was easier to fool.

The young man said he would ask, turned and went inside. A moment later he came back with a happy expression and said, "Liu Huakui's patrons are full, but Miss An's place is still available. Would you like to go there now?"

"Lead the way." Bai Xuan appeared mature and composed, but in reality, it was his first time entering a brothel, at least five hundred years later.

Although my heart and actions are as clear as a mirror, my gaze still unconsciously wandered around.

The decor was significantly more refined than the brothels of the past, and there were many more people, making it more lively and filled with a more feminine atmosphere.

Passing through the central passageway and entering the courtyard, it's rare to find multiple courtesans in a typical brothel; only two or three are truly famous.

Previously, the patron Liu Huakui was located in Qinziyuan. When I passed by, I glanced inside and it was indeed full. There were many richly dressed merchants and scholars listening to music inside.

Listening to music in the brothel is a perfect match for one's profession.

There were quite a few people in Miss An's courtyard, but it wasn't overcrowded yet. It was famous for its palm dance.

Bai Xuan walked into the courtyard and saw at least seven or eight people inside. There was even a martial artist with a sable hairpin sitting cross-legged, clapping his hands and laughing.

He stopped and said to the boy who was leading the way, "Give this paper to Miss An."

The boy hesitated for a moment, but when he saw the silver coins being stuffed into his hand, he readily agreed.

Before long, the young man returned, accompanied by a young maid. The maid bowed slightly and said, "Greetings, young master. Miss requests your presence. Please follow me."

The maid led Bai Xuan onto a path beside the courtyard, leading him through a bamboo grove. As they walked through, they came to a hidden pavilion within a brothel.

"Please come in, young master."

The maid gave a curtsy and then turned to leave.

Bai Xuan stepped into the pavilion and went upstairs, where he soon met his contact.

She was also a woman, with long hair reaching her waist and wearing a plain dress. She looked somewhat sickly.

"This humble woman, Gu Qingrou, greets Young Hero Bai Xuan."

"Are you a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard?" Bai Xuan asked.

"Doesn't it seem so?" Gu Qingrou smiled. "It seems that Lord Zhuge did not tell you the full details, young hero."

Bai Xuan truthfully replied, "It's already surprising enough that the Embroidered Uniform Guards chose a brothel as their meeting place."

“To deceive these powerful families, we need some clever methods. The easiest way to fool them is through brothels,” Gu Qingrou said. “Although we may not be able to really fool the Lin family’s higher-ups, we all know the unspoken agreement.”

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard's standards for recruiting people are really... unconventional."

“We are all descendants of disgraced officials, and we were originally destined to be imprisoned in the Jiaofangsi. Now we have simply been moved to a different brothel. Although we are still entertaining people with our beauty, we can atone for our crimes and fight for some opportunities for our relatives.” Gu Qingrou spoke calmly as she slowly played the zither: “Young Master Bai, please sit down. I will play a tune for you.”

Bai Xuan sat down, but politely declined, saying, "I didn't come here to listen to the zither."

Gu Qingrou asked, "Young hero, is it that you dislike this decadent music, or this place of debauchery and sensual pleasures?"

She smiled and said, "With Young Master Bai's charisma and reputation, there must be many girls in this establishment willing to spend a night with you. Even Sister Liu, who is usually serious, is very fascinated by your heroic spirit."

"I'm here to ask about the Jiao Rong case," Bai Xuan said bluntly. "How much have you found out?"

"Alright, young hero, you're quick to speak your mind and like to get straight to the point." Gu Qingrou sighed, "It's a pity that we know very little about this case. The detailed inside story is recorded in this file. Please read it here."

She opened the scroll, and Bai Xuan quickly read it. He glanced at it and found that there wasn't much content, probably only a thousand words, and the information recorded was quite scattered.

Aside from knowing that these people are connected and may know each other, I can't find any more effective social relationships.

The most valuable piece of information is that the Jiao Rong case is very likely related to Fu Guangzong.

Jiao Rong died with his face charred black, as if burned by flames, but without any trace of fire.

To do this, a large amount of heat needs to be released instantly, if not fire, then light.

"Fu Guang Sect, Blazing Sun Divine Light... It has been recorded in many ancient books. This move can burn a person to a charred corpse in an instant." Gu Qingrou poured a cup of tea and handed it to Bai Xuan: "This is also the only clue we have at the moment."

Fuguang Sect is one of the Six Paths and Seven Sects.

Originally, she and Xingyue were from the same school.

Ultimately, the two went their separate ways, forming the Fuguang Sect and the Xingyue Demonic Sect respectively.

Both of these sects are reclusive sects. Once one of the most glorious sects among the Six Paths and Seven Sects, they have gradually faded into the background of history and no longer appear easily.

The demonesses of the Star Moon Demon Sect still occasionally make their presence felt, but the Fu Guang Sect has truly vanished without a trace.

"If the serial killer is from the Fuguang Sect, this is far too ostentatious," Bai Xuan commented.

Although the true cultivators of the Fuguang Sect were all flamboyant in his memory, those old buddies who praised the sun all day long were motivated by upholding justice.

It's hard to imagine that these muscular men who enjoy sunbathing naked would commit such a illogical series of murders.

Unless there's something wrong with the lineage, causing the path to go astray.

This has happened before in history, a typical example being the White Plum School.

The dignified lineage of the True Lord Qingyuan has ended up as a gathering place for losers; it's absolutely laughable.

If Juan Zhi were here, Bai Xuan could laugh at her to her face for a whole year.

The fact that Fuguangzong wanted to go from righteousness to evil and end up committing serial murders... unless they were short of firewood to feed the sun.

Bai Xuan didn't quite believe this assessment, but he also couldn't be sure of his own judgment.

Five hundred years have passed, and the disciples are already using suitcases to scheme against their master. What else is impossible?
Gu Qingrou said apologetically, "I'm sorry, this is all the information we can provide... If Young Master Bai wants to investigate, I think the Lin family might not refuse you, and it would be easier for the Embroidered Uniform Guard to carry out their operations."

"Isn't the Embroidered Uniform Guard headquarters here practically just for show?"

"That's not the case. This place is only responsible for collecting intelligence. The Embroidered Uniform Guards who actually carry out field duties are still in the office building." Gu Qingrou explained, "The commander of this place, Commander Wang, and his two deputies are both at the Outer Realm. Commander Wang is only half a step away from the Grandmaster Realm."

Bai Xuan said, "But they are also being watched, making it difficult for them to act. I cannot contact them directly."

"Yes," Gu Qingrou said, "I just sent someone to inform them, I think it's about Commander Wang..."

"Wang has arrived." A voice quickly rang out.

A warrior with a sable hairpin walked in, his voice full of vigor.

Just moments ago, he was sitting in Miss An's courtyard, staring intently at her thighs and breasts—that old lecher.

Now, however, his demeanor has changed completely, and he has transformed into a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Upon getting closer, Bai Xuan finally got a good look at the other person's shoulder.

Because what is crawling on the shoulders of this thousand-household commander is not a sable tail, but a Dharma image.

To possess a Dharma Image below the Grandmaster level is a very high level of achievement.

Commander Wang clasped his hands in a fist and smiled, "I apologize for making Young Hero Bai laugh just now. Was my acting up?"

Bai Xuan complimented, "It doesn't seem like acting."

Without blushing, Commander Wang smiled and said, "I am not fond of drinking or fighting, but I am public-spirited and righteous. I just have a bit of a thing for women... Miss Gu knows me well. Although I often come to brothels to listen to music, I never stay overnight. I just enjoy the sight of them."

Gu Qingrou smiled and said, "With a beautiful wife, why would a Thousand-Household Commander like you be interested in some ordinary woman outside?"

Bai Xuan asked again, "Were those courtesans also spies for the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

“Yes, all of them.” Commander Wang said seriously, “If not, how would we gather intelligence… In places of pleasure and revelry, when people’s hearts are restless, wine and women can sway their minds, and what they say without thinking is often the most truthful.”

Bai Xuan looked at Gu Qingrou: "Then wouldn't you say he's harassing a female subordinate?"

Gu Qingrou paused her zither playing, then covered her mouth and chuckled, her laughter clear and crisp: "Young Master Bai is truly a remarkable person; no wonder Miss Lin is so fond of you."

After sipping his tea, Commander Wang clicked his tongue and said, "Most of the women in Jiangnan know your reputation. If they also knew about the few quatrains you casually recited, I'm afraid that wherever you go in the future, the streets will be deserted."

"I prefer to keep a low profile." Bai Xuan picked up the case scroll: "Being too high-profile is not good."

“Now that we’ve reached the summit, let’s be even more high-profile. You can’t back down now.” Commander Wang paused. “It’s not that I’m taking advantage of my seniority, but in the world of martial arts, it’s always good to be in the limelight for as long as possible. You can fool fools by hiding your abilities, but you can’t fool smart people.”

Bai Xuan asked, "Can we discuss the case now?"

Commander Wang waved his hand, indicating that he was just going to slack off: "You can make the decision on this. I'll wait for your instructions. Langya is the territory of the Lin family. Apart from killing a few Northern Zhou spies, there's nothing I can do. But we can't just ignore this place. Solving cases isn't my forte."

Gu Qingrou pondered, "This matter can't be rushed. We can take it one step at a time. Right now, what Young Master Bai should be dealing with is the covetousness of the Northern Zhou. We have discovered that multiple forces have entered Langya, and it is very likely that they are all coming for you."

Bai Xuan nodded: "No wonder my eyelids have been twitching lately."

"As long as you live, you will be a thorn in the side of the Northern Zhou people." Commander Wang took a big gulp of tea, his heroic expression instantly transforming into that of the Great Western King: "This is truly exhilarating! Once I break through to the Grandmaster realm, I will definitely go to Yumen Pass and kill several thousand Northern Zhou wolves!"

Just as Gu Qingrou was about to say something, she suddenly saw Bai Xuan stand up abruptly, grab a teacup from the table, and throw it violently.

The teacup shot through the half-open window into the bamboo grove, where two figures emerged from between the bamboo trees.

"Huh?!" Commander Wang turned his head, and the Great Western King cast a death stare at him: "Who goes there!"

After a roar.

Bodyguards appeared in secret from several other directions in the bamboo forest.

This is the location of the Embroidered Uniform Guard's hidden agents, so a certain level of defense has been maintained. Moreover, many people know that Bai Xuan will be coming and are quite curious about this top-ranked strategist.

More than half of the Embroidered Uniform Guards from Langya gathered here.

Upon hearing any unusual activity, they all dropped their pretense and stopped watching the courtesans dance and flirt. One of the guards, who had come on official business to cultivate a relationship with a beautiful girl, immediately withdrew his hand when he felt the badge at his waist vibrating. He then feigned a stomachache and ran away as fast as he could.

They rushed into the bamboo forest, almost none of them were empty-handed; they were all armed and stared at the two people in the center of the bamboo forest as if facing a formidable enemy.

"what's the situation?"

"It looks like someone has followed us."

How did they sneak in?

"If this kid can sneak in once, he can sneak in a second time. He must not be allowed to live!"

"You two rats, you prevented me from touching the crabapple just now, and now you've found your way to death!"

Among the bamboo groves.

Both Yelü Hao and Bi Dongyou, with their scarred faces, were dressed in night clothes, making it impossible for others to discern their true identities. They stood back to back, their eyes filled with horror as they looked at the group of people surrounding them, whispering amongst themselves.

"Why are there so many people here?!" Bi Dongyou was furious. "Didn't you say there wouldn't be any problems?"

Scarface: "This is an ambush!"

"Bullshit!" Bi Dongyou transmitted his voice secretly: "Do you think I'm blind? This is clearly a stronghold of a martial arts force!"

“No, it shouldn’t be a gangster organization,” Scarface said.

"What time is it and you're still being stubborn!"

“They’re definitely not from the Jianghu (martial arts world) forces…” Although Yelü Hao didn’t recognize these people, he immediately made a guess. There was only one possibility that they could gather so many elites with such high cultivation levels and get Bai Yueguang to keep the appointment quietly.

"The people here are all Embroidered Uniform Guards."

Bi Dongyou fell silent: "..."

He was stuck in his throat, unsure whether he should say it or not.

They had been secretly tracking them all the way here, and everything was fine before they entered the bamboo forest.

There were many people in the brothel, but I didn't pay attention. It should have been crowded; if there were no people, I wouldn't dare to come in.

Bi Dongyou felt he had been careful enough, observing the area along the way to see if it might be a trap, but in the end he found nothing suspicious. It was just a seafood restaurant that was operating normally. Not far away, in a private room, people were fighting fiercely, and their clothes were torn from the fight on the bed.

He was relieved after taking a few glances at it.

As a result... as soon as they were discovered to have revealed their true form, they were instantly surrounded by a truckload of bread-like figures.

What started as a perfectly good two-on-one situation turned into an assassination attempt.

It turned into the other side turning the tables and making us look like dumplings.

And he was a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard...

Spicy balls!

"What are their backgrounds?" Commander Wang frowned, tapped the handrail with his fingers, and jumped out of the window.

He is a master of the third level of the Outer Realm, only one step away from reaching the stars, a true master of the ninth level of the Heavenly Tower.

He didn't make it onto the leaderboard because he didn't accumulate many achievements; he mostly just bullied the weak with his strength... That's what the Embroidered Uniform Guards do. It wouldn't be appropriate to make them risk their lives, since the lives of Embroidered Uniform Guards are also lives.

On the pavilion, Gu Qingrou frowned as she played the zither, the music enveloping the bamboo grove area and creating a sense of isolation.

Commander Wang then shouted in a deep voice, "You petty scoundrels, quickly state your names!"

Scarface knew that this was no match for him in a direct confrontation.

Damn it, a dozen or so Embroidered Uniform Guards, who knows how many of them are centurions and chiliarchs, I'll beat them up.

He immediately stammered, "My brother and I are thieves; we planned to break in..."

"Stealing from a brothel?" Commander Wang sneered, "I don't believe you for a second... Why would you steal from a brothel when there are so many wealthy people to steal from? Are you trying to steal a woman's undergarment?!"

Scarface kicked Bi Dongyou and cursed, "My brother here is a womanizer, so I brought him here to broaden his horizons. This was an accident... We didn't know the rules, and we're willing to pay compensation."

Commander Wang frowned slightly, unsure whether the other party was telling the truth or not. He planned to detain them and ask them questions slowly: "Surrender without resistance, all of you behave yourselves!"

What sets the Embroidered Uniform Guard apart from other martial arts factions is their adherence to the law. Even if someone has committed a heinous crime, they must still be interrogated and their case thoroughly investigated.

Neither of them are characters with names or surnames in the Book of Mending Heaven, so they are not easy to recognize.

This is exactly what Scarface and Bi Dongyou need; they must deliberately act submissive, pretend to be captured, and then seize the opportunity to escape.

Although Commander Wang is very capable, as long as they can get out of the Embroidered Uniform Guard's encirclement, they have a way to sneak away.

however……

"Chirp chirp chirp—!"

A series of urgent animal cries rang out.

Looking in the direction of the sound, Bai Xuan was holding a mouse in his hand; the sound came from the nimble mouse.

He silently activated his sixth supernatural power.

Edict!

All things have spirits and can be commanded, even mountain gods and spirits. Controlling this little mouse is a piece of cake; it can be manipulated at will. This mouse has already developed some intelligence and is no longer a complete wild beast, making it easier to control.

After the decree was issued, a faint mark appeared in the mouse's eyes.

Bai Xuan waved his hand, and it immediately landed, did a backflip, then punched in a horse stance, followed by a cute star flying collision.

This mouse has the bearing of a master.

"Tell me, what happened."

It circled around Bai Xuan's feet several times, gesturing wildly and chirping incessantly.

Everyone else couldn't understand it, but Bai Xuan could understand it when there was an imperial edict.

"I see." Bai Xuan glanced at his hair: "Because I temporarily dyed my hair black, the smell of the hair dye was used against me... Animals with a keen sense of smell can indeed find their way by following the scent."

He gave the duo a warm and hospitable smile.

"Come to find me?"

"Then why rush to leave?"

He got up and went down from the attic.

"Your identities."

"They were assassins from the Northern Zhou Dynasty."

"Or are they people who are trying to disrupt the peace of Langya?"

As he spoke, the mouse followed his footsteps, chirping incessantly, clearly pointing at Scarface and Bi Dongyou and frantically informing on them.

Scarface turned green. This shifty-eyed bastard! I used to feed you well and this is how you repay me?
"Hmm..." After listening to Shushu's report, Bai Xuan said directly, "Commander Wang, these two were sent by the Northern Zhou. They followed me here because they saw me going out late at night and thought I was visiting prostitutes. They thought they had found an opportunity to kill me."

Commander Wang was delighted.

"What two unlucky idiots."

The other Embroidered Uniform Guards were also delighted; this was practically a gift delivered to their doorstep.

Yelü Hao's face turned ashen, realizing he had been betrayed by a coward.

He knew he was doomed, so he decided not to pretend to be a thief stealing a brothel undergarment and revealed his true colors: "That's right, I am from the Northern Zhou!"

Then he mocked, "White Moonlight, you are truly shameless. We have fallen for your scheme. We never expected that the top of the Crouching Dragon Ranking would resort to bullying!"

Bai Xuan said calmly, "I'm serving in the Embroidered Uniform Guard. What do you mean by bullying others? Your Northern Zhou sent no less than four waves of assassins to deal with me. I fought my way from Jiankang South Road all the way to Langya Street. It took me three days and three nights. I hacked and slashed until blood flowed like rivers. I didn't even blink. My hands were numb. And you won't even let me catch my breath with the main force?"

Yelü Hao feigned a江湖气气 (jianghu qiang, a kind of chivalrous spirit): "You dare to fight them, but dare to exchange a few blows with me! Otherwise, I'll die rather than submit!"

It was actually a provocation...

Bai Xuan put his hand to his forehead, feeling his brain trembling after encountering two waves of idiots in just one night.

I thought my skill in stealing from the wrong person was already unmatched, but I never expected that someone's wisdom was even greater than his. Whose subordinate is this so brave?
I don't know what kind of perfect timing, location, and people brought together such a pair of brilliant minds.

It must be a special kind of fate.

Commander Wang bluntly stated, "They're just putting on a brave face because they know they're doomed. Don't pay them any mind... just kill them all."

Bi Dongyou shouted, "Wait!"

He said, "We know a lot of information about the Northern Zhou. You will regret killing us."

Yelü Hao sneered: "Don't be naive. You'll die even if you reveal the information, so you might as well risk it."

He showed no fear: "White Moonlight, even if I fail to kill you, someone else will. You think there are only a few people here? There are many who pose a threat to you. The Northern Zhou prodigy has already begun to hunt you down!"

"Even if I die, something stronger awaits you, like Taku..."

He deliberately stopped, not finishing his sentence.

His tone sounded very assertive, but he was actually implying that he really knew a lot, including who the prodigy from Northern Zhou was.

"Young Master Bai, don't believe what that wolf from Northern Zhou said." After a moment's thought, Commander Wang understood: "Even if other Northern Zhou prodigies really did enter, he's in competition with them, so how much could he possibly know?"

Upon hearing this, Bi Dongyou knew he hadn't been fooled and had no choice but to prepare to fight back.

Scarface also lowered his head and remained silent.

A moment later, he raised his head and flipped his hand over.

With a flick of his finger, a precious pearl shot towards a guard in embroidered robes to the side, who snorted coldly and drew his sword to strike.

"No!"

As soon as Commander Wang finished speaking, a thick fog surged out from the broken bead.

Amidst the mist, Yelü Hao's first reaction was to turn around and slap Bi Dongyou.

This is to injure those around you, making their injuries a burden to the other party, thus buying yourself time to escape.

After all, people will subconsciously target the weak.

The classic "I don't need to run faster than a bear, I just need to be faster than you!"
Who knew that Bi Dongyou would have the same reaction?

They attacked each other almost simultaneously.

Although there was no prior discussion, at this moment it can be said that they were evenly matched and had a tacit understanding.

The two men struck each other with their palms in the air, unleashing tremendous force. They each let out a muffled groan and were thrown back.

"They actually launched a sneak attack!" x2
"Absolutely outrageous!" x2
After exchanging a couple of curses in unison, both sides knew their plan was doomed and could only leave with a retort.

"Everyone run for their lives!"

"We will meet again later!"

This whole operation left the Embroidered Uniform Guards, who were on guard against a sneak attack, completely stunned.

Embroidered Uniform Guards: 6
(End of this chapter)