Chinese animation: Starting with Bad Guys

Her voice wasn't loud, but everyone present could hear it clearly.

Upon hearing this, Han Fei deliberately feigned a hurt expression: "Hey, Honglian, your words are really hurting Ninth Brother's feelings!"

She then smiled and introduced her to Qin Chuan: "Brother Qin, you flatter me. This is my unruly little sister, Honglian."

Then, turning to Honglian with a serious expression, he said, "This is Young Master Qin Chuan, a good friend I met on the road. His talent and knowledge far surpass mine."

He specifically emphasized "talent, learning, and insight," his eyes conveying a profound meaning.

Hearing her Ninth Brother's high praise, Honglian's big eyes shone with even greater curiosity. She gracefully bowed to Qin Chuan, her smile radiant.

"Honglian greets Young Master Qin. My ninth brother rarely praises people, but it seems Young Master Qin is truly capable!"

She is straightforward and makes no attempt to hide her interests.

Qin Chuan returned the greeting with a cupped hand, his demeanor composed: "Your Highness is too kind. Brother Han is learned in both ancient and modern times, while I, Qin, merely offer my humble opinion. I am unworthy of such praise."

His voice was clear and his attitude was neither humble nor arrogant.

Seeing his refined manners and extraordinary demeanor, Honglian felt even more favorably disposed towards him.

She suddenly remembered something and excitedly grabbed Han Fei's arm:

"Oh, right, Ninth Brother! You're back just in time! There's a really interesting auction going on at the Hidden Dragon Hall later! I heard there are a lot of rare and unusual treasures there! It'll definitely be much more interesting than what you encounter on the road! Will you come with me?"

She shook Han Fei's arm, her voice sweet and coquettish.

"Hidden Dragon Hall? On the farm's territory?"

Han Fei raised an eyebrow, a barely perceptible glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes, before his lazy smile returned as he looked at Qin Chuan:

"Brother Qin, you've just arrived in Xinzheng, so you must also want to see this place where the treasures of the seven kingdoms gather? Why don't we go together? It would be a good opportunity for me to show you some hospitality."

He extended the invitation, his gaze filled with sincerity and curiosity.

The Qianlong Hall auction is a melting pot of all sorts of people, making it an excellent place to observe various forces and gather information.

He invited Qin Chuan not only to show hospitality as a host, but also to take this opportunity to learn more about this mysterious "Young Master Qin" whom he had met by chance on the road and who had an extraordinary way of speaking.

Honglian immediately clapped her hands in agreement, her big eyes sparkling as she looked at Qin Chuan: "Yes, yes! Young Master Qin, let's go together! It'll be more fun with more people! Maybe we can find some fun treasures!"

Qin Chuan looked at the brother and sister in front of him. One seemed nonchalant but was actually deep in thought, while the other was innocent and carefree but of noble birth.

As far as he knew, there were quite a few interesting people involved in the auction at Nongjia Qianlongtang.

He was thinking of going to take a look.

Qin Chuan nodded slightly, his calm gaze sweeping across the bustling yet turbulent streets of Xinzheng, finally settling on Han Fei and Hong Lian's faces, a faint yet meaningful smile curving his lips:

"That is indeed my wish, but I dare not ask. Then I will trouble Brother Han and the princess."

The wind from Xinzheng, carrying a hint of unfamiliar hustle and bustle and the scent of perfume, stirred the hem of his dark robes.

The jade hairpin in her sleeve remained warm and smooth, while a new game of chess was slowly unfolding before her eyes.

Chapter 14 Hidden Dragon Hall, Purple Orchid Pavilion

As night fell over Xinzheng, dozens of glass lanterns were lit inside Qianlong Hall, illuminating the five pavilions like isolated islands floating in a sea of ​​lights.

The sheer veil fell, blocking the view, but it couldn't block the undercurrents flowing in the air.

Qin Chuan followed Han Fei and Hong Lian into the Dingzi Pavilion. As soon as he sat down, his gaze pierced through the four layers of light gauze, taking in the figures of everyone in each pavilion.

Inside the Jiazi Pavilion, Ji Dan sat upright like a pine tree, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the edge of the coiled dragon cauldron on the table.

This person should have been a hostage in Xianyang, but now he has appeared here. It must be the work of Lord Changping and Tian Guang, the leader of the Farmer's School of Chivalry. They want to use the Qianlong Hall, a place where all sorts of people mingle, to arrange for Ji Dan and Jing Ke to meet.

Qin Chuan's eyes darkened slightly as he thought of Consort Yan, who was far away in Xianyang.

If Donghuang Taiyi were still alive, he would definitely send Yanfei to approach Jidan to explore the Seven Mansions of the Azure Dragon. But now that Donghuang is dead, the Yin-Yang School is under his control. The love that arose from the secrets has become a bubble before it even began.

Yan Chunjun of Yizi Pavilion was playing with a pair of mutton-fat jade bracelets, the luster of the pearls reflecting a frivolous look on his face.

Jing Ke of the Bing Pavilion had his hand on the scabbard at his waist, with three Xuanjing arrowheads placed in front of him. Their sharpness seemed to chill the air. He frequently glanced at the Jia Pavilion, clearly having sensed Ji Dan's presence.

Only in the Wuzi Pavilion did that slender figure remain seated, seemingly blending into the night.

Qin Chuan's senses swept across the area, and he vaguely caught a faint, cool fragrance.

"Gentlemen, you have been waiting long." Situ Wanli, standing on the high platform, cupped his hands and smiled, the subtle patterns on his brocade robe shimmering under the lamplight. "Tonight, we will exchange treasures for treasures, each taking what they need. First, please present the treasure of the Jia-class Pavilion—the Panlong Cauldron!"

When the bronze cauldron was carried up, its heavy dragon roar seemed to pierce through the ages.

Han Fei lightly waved his folding fan: "The cauldron is a national treasure, yet it has appeared here. It seems someone is eager to exchange it for something."

Qin Chuan did not respond, his gaze falling on the Wuzi Pavilion.

At this point, Situ Wanli had finished displaying the jade bracelet from Pavilion B and the mystic crystal arrow from Pavilion C.

When it was Dingzige's turn, Han Fei ordered someone to present the Azure Coral Wine Vessel. The translucent azure color, under the lamplight, was frozen into a deep sea, eliciting low exclamations of admiration from those in the hall.

"Finally, please welcome the treasures of our distinguished guest from the Wuzi Pavilion."

Situ Wanli gestured to the maid to bring out an item, a small wooden box about the size of a palm. The edges were worn and it looked unremarkable, except for the faintly flowing patterns carved on the box, which seemed to contain some kind of structure.

"This box..."

Han Fei paused with his folding fan in his palm, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

Just then, a clear, cold female voice came from the Wu Pavilion, drifting through the light gauze and landing precisely on the Ding Pavilion:

"This box is crafted according to the principles of vertical and horizontal lines. Inside the box is the answer to the rainy night in Xinzheng. A few days ago, ghost soldiers robbed military pay in the suburbs, causing quite a commotion. Young Master Han has just returned to the country, so perhaps it will come in handy."

"Ghost soldiers robbing our supplies?" Honglian exclaimed in surprise, but Han Fei's eyes suddenly sharpened.

Qin Chuan understood immediately—it was indeed Zi Nu.

She said the box was made using the "Principles of Vertical and Horizontal Strategies," and was naturally crafted by Wei Zhuang, another successor of the Guigu School who stood behind her.

Han Fei immediately declared loudly, "Dingzi Pavilion, exchange this box for the Azure Sea Coral Vase."

After a moment of silence, the cold voice rang out again: "Agreed."

When the wooden box was delivered to the Dingzi Pavilion, Honglian's curiosity had already reached its peak. Before Han Fei could even reach out, she pounced like a nimble little sparrow and hugged the box to her chest.

"Let me see! Let me see! What's this good stuff?"

Her slender fingers traced the surface of the box, the crisscrossing patterns sliding across her fingertips with a peculiar sense of resistance.

No matter how hard she tried to pry or gently pry, the lid remained firmly in place, as if it were cast into the box itself.

"Oh dear, I can't open it!" Honglian puffed out her cheeks and shook the box somewhat dejectedly. "Ninth Brother, come and try!"

Han Fei smiled and waved his fan: "Silly girl, this box looks ordinary, but there's something special about the patterns on it. You'll probably have to use a clever trick."

Just as he was about to reach out, Honglian's eyes darted around, and she suddenly handed the box to Qin Chuan, her cheeks slightly flushed, and said in a slightly willful tone, "Young Master Qin looks more capable than Ninth Brother, why don't you give it a try?"

Han Fei was taken aback, then looked at Qin Chuan with a knowing look and a hint of mockery in his eyes.

Qin Chuan looked into the girl's bright eyes, which reflected the lamplight and his own shadow. The innocent and carefree girl he had seen at the city gate now had a touch of charming anticipation in her eyes.

He hesitated for a moment, then reached out and took the wooden box.

The moment his fingertips touched the surface of the box, he felt a faint energy flowing within the patterns—it was indeed the style of the Guigu School of Diplomacy, with seemingly chaotic patterns concealing mechanisms that harmonized Yin and Yang.

Qin Chuan did not deliberately exert his internal energy; he simply followed the energy's pathways and gently rotated it. With a soft "click," the lid of the box opened.

"Wow! Young Master Qin, you're amazing!" Honglian clapped her hands in surprise and came over to take a look.

There were no military tally or silk scroll in the box, only a palm-sized piece of metal lying quietly. It was dark gold in color and its texture seemed warm and smooth, yet it exuded a cold and hard feel.

Han Fei leaned closer for a look, his pupils shrinking slightly: "It's water dissolving gold."

As soon as he uttered those three words, the ease on his face turned into seriousness, followed by a confident smile.

Water-soluble gold dissolves in water, but can solidify into a shape in a specific solution.

This is inextricably linked to the ghost soldiers' robbery of the funds a few days ago; it is indeed a clue that points directly to the key issue.

"It seems this rainy night in Xinzheng holds many stories." Han Fei closed the box and looked at Qin Chuan. "Brother Qin, with your insight and knowledge of mechanisms, would you be willing to investigate this ghost soldier case with me?"

Qin Chuan shook his head: "I came to Xinzheng on other important business. Young Master Han's talent is more than enough to solve this case."

His tone was flat, yet carried an undeniable distance.

A hint of regret flashed in Han Fei's eyes, but he did not insist any further.

As they left Qianlong Hall, a cool night breeze swept by. Han Fei cupped his hands and said, "Brother Qin, since you and my sister get along so well, and you and I also have a good conversation, why don't you come back to my residence for a while? That way, I can show you some hospitality."

"No need." Qin Chuan gazed at the brightest street in the distance, where the faint sounds of string and wind instruments could be heard. "I have already found a place to stay."

"Oh? I wonder which inn it is?" Honglian couldn't help but ask, secretly noting it down in her mind, thinking that she might "run into" it again in the future.

Qin Chuan smiled slightly and uttered three words: "Zilanxuan".

"What?!" The color drained from Honglian's face instantly, followed by two flushed red cheeks.

Although she had lived in the deep palace for a long time, she had heard that Zilan Pavilion was the most famous brothel in Xinzheng, where the women were all good at singing and dancing and moved among the powerful and wealthy.

How could he... how could he live in a place like that?

The girl suddenly lowered her head, her fingers twisting the hem of her skirt. Her heart was pounding as if it would burst out of her chest. The curiosity and admiration she had felt for Qin Chuan just now were now mixed with some inexplicable panic and embarrassment.

Han Fei was also taken aback, then looked at Qin Chuan thoughtfully.

Zilan Pavilion? That Zi Nu's territory?

It seems that this young master Qin is more complicated than he imagined.

Qin Chuan didn't say anything more, only nodded slightly to the two of them, and then turned and disappeared into the night.

His dark robes drew a clean arc under the lamplight, his back was tall and dashing, as if the storms of Xinzheng had nothing to do with him.

Honglian stared in the direction he had disappeared, lost in thought for a long time, until Han Fei gently tapped her forehead with his folding fan: "What are you standing there for? Go back to the palace."

“Ninth Brother…” Honglian raised her head, her voice barely audible, “How could he… how could he live in a place like that…”

Han Fei looked at his sister's reddened eyes and slightly pouting lips, and suddenly smiled: "Perhaps, his going there, just like our going to the Hidden Dragon Hall, wasn't for romance?"

Whether Honglian listened to these words or not, only she herself knows.

A night breeze swept by, carrying a faint fragrance wafting from the direction of Zilan Pavilion, stirring ripples in the lake of the young girl's heart that she herself could not understand.

Chapter 15 The sword resides in the heart, not in the weapon.