Chinese animation: Starting with Bad Guys

He raised his hand and sheathed the Shark Tooth Sword, his movements slow but carrying a resolute air of finality.

"The Bad Guys... I'm joining."

The golden crow hairpin in Qin Chuan's palm slowly disappeared into his sleeve, and the murderous aura around him receded like a tide.

He looked at Wei Zhuang, his tone returning to calm: "A wise choice."

Wei Zhuang twitched the corner of his mouth and said nothing more.

The pain in his left shoulder was still spreading, but it made him more lucid than ever before.

This man might truly be able to stir up the winds of change, and Wei Zhuang, rather than waiting to decay on the sinking ship of Han, would rather follow such a person and see a broader chess game.

Zi Nu breathed a sigh of relief, helped Nong Yu forward, and looked at Qin Chuan with a complicated and indescribable gaze: "Young Master Qin... no, I should call you the leader of the Bad People now."

"Call me Young Marshal, Wei Zhuang is the Star of Heavenly Talent, you are the Star of Heavenly Skill, and Nongyu is the Star of Heavenly Music."

"Zilan Pavilion will continue to operate as usual, and the intelligence network must report to me."

Zi Nu and Nong Yu both nodded slightly. The life-or-death battle just now left them with lingering fear, but they also felt a greater sense of awe for this decisive and ruthless man.

Wei Zhuang leaned against the broken wall, catching his breath for a moment, and then suddenly spoke: "I have more conditions."

"Within the Bad Guys, I only obey your orders. Anyone who dares to interfere..." He touched the hilt of his shark-tooth sword, "...dies!"

"If you ever lose your ability to stir up trouble, I will personally dismantle the Bad Guys."

Qin Chuan glanced at him, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Then you'll have to have that ability first."

The night breeze drifted into the private room, carrying the fragrance of Zilan Pavilion, but it couldn't dispel the lingering stench of blood and murderous intent in the air. The candlelight was relit, illuminating the broken table, the shattered screen, and the four people, each with their own thoughts.

The first cornerstone of the Bad Guys was finally firmly established amidst the clash of swords and life-or-death choices.

The night in Xinzheng seemed darker and more lively than before.

Chapter 18 The New Master of Zilan Pavilion

The night in Xinzheng seemed even deeper than the day before.

The lights of Zilan Pavilion still shone brightly, and the sounds of silk and bamboo instruments were still melodious, but if one were to observe closely, one could sense an invisible, more solemn atmosphere enveloping this romantic pavilion.

A luxurious carriage quietly stopped at the back gate of Zilan Pavilion.

Han Fei was the first to jump off the carriage. He was dressed in a purple brocade robe, with his usual nonchalant expression on his face, but his eyes held a sharpness that was hard to detect.

He turned around and reached his hand into the car.

A fair and delicate hand landed in his palm, and then Princess Honglian nimbly jumped down.

She had specially changed into a relatively simple pale yellow dress today, and styled her hair in a lively double bun, but the royal dignity and girlish brightness could not be concealed.

As soon as she got out of the car, she looked at the back door of Zilan Pavilion with curiosity and a little nervousness. Her nostrils twitched as she sniffed the faint scent of perfume in the air, and she secretly wondered what that person was.

"Ninth Brother, is this Zilan Pavilion?" Honglian asked softly, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Does that Young Master Qin really live here?"

"Shh—" Han Fei put his index finger to his lips and gestured with his eyes, "Don't run around or say anything after you go in. Remember your place. We're here to talk business."

"I know!" Honglian replied, but her eyes were already scanning the windows of the pavilion.

Zi Nu had already received the news and personally greeted him in the backyard.

She was still dressed in a seductive purple outfit, and the butterfly pattern at the corner of her eye looked even more eerie under the light.

Today, though her smile remained alluring, a hint of indescribable caution and even a subtle respect lingered deep within her eyes.

"Young Master Han, Princess Honglian, your presence is an honor to Zilan Pavilion."

Zi Nu bowed gracefully, her demeanor impeccable, but the angle and depth of her bow made Han Fei keenly sense something amiss.

Her gaze swept over Honglian with just the right amount of surprise and embarrassment.

"Miss Zi Nu, there's no need for such formalities." Han Fei waved his folding fan. "It's my presumption to disturb you so late at night. I wonder if Prime Minister Zhang has arrived yet?"

His primary objective was to have a secret meeting with Prime Minister Zhang Kaidi.

"Prime Minister Zhang has not yet arrived. Please, Young Master Han and Princess, follow me to the private room to rest and wait."

Zi Nu stepped aside to lead the way, but the direction was to the "Listening to the Rain Pavilion," which was located in a slightly secluded and more tranquil area.

Honglian followed behind, looking around curiously.

The building was magnificent, filled with the sounds of birdsong, which made her feel both curious and uneasy.

She searched diligently for the figure in black, but found nothing, and felt inexplicably disappointed.

Upon entering Tingyuxuan, Zi Nu served fragrant tea.

Her movements remained elegant, but Han Fei noticed that as she poured tea, her gaze seemed to casually and very briefly glance upwards towards a closed private room on the second floor, her eyes carrying a hint of...asking for instructions?

"The gift that Miss Zi Nu gave me last night has truly been a great help to Han Fei." Han Fei picked up his teacup, his gaze fixed on Zi Nu. "That 'water dissolving gold' is the key clue to solving the case of the ghost soldiers robbing the grain. Miss, your methods are extraordinary; Han Fei admires you."

He was probing the relationship between Zi Nu and the Hidden Dragon Hall and the mysterious person behind them.

Zi Nu covered her mouth and chuckled: "Young master, you flatter me. I merely happened to be there and acquired a rare item. It is my honor to be able to help you."

When the "rare object" was mentioned, a very subtle glint of surprise flashed in her eyes, as if the origin of the object also filled her with a sense of awe.

Just then, the ethereal and melodious sound of Nongyu's zither drifted from next door, soothing and delightful.

"It's the sound of Nongyu's zither," Han Fei exclaimed.

Zi Nu smiled and said, "Nong Yu knew that you were coming, so she played a tune on her zither to calm you down."

However, when the piano music reached a certain melodious passage, it suddenly paused very slightly, as if it had been disturbed by an invisible force. Then it became smooth again, but the perfect artistic conception had been quietly broken.

Han Fei frowned slightly.

Nongyu rarely makes mistakes. Unless... his mind is disturbed? He subconsciously looked again at the closed private room on the second floor.

Honglian also heard the music and her eyes lit up: "It's Sister Nongyu! Ninth Brother, may I go and listen?"

"Princess, please calm down," Han Fei reassured her, though his doubts deepened.

Zi Nu's attitude, Nong Yu's unusual zither playing... it was as if an invisible hand had taken over the order of Zi Lan Xuan.

"Miss Zi Nu," Han Fei put down his teacup and asked casually, "Did a young master from Qin Chuan stay at Zi Lan Xuan last night?"

Zi Nu's smile faltered slightly, and a complex emotion flashed in her eyes—awe, apprehension, and helplessness. She was carefully considering how to speak.

Suddenly, the door to Tingyuxuan was gently pushed open.

A cold, icy figure appeared at the doorway.

Wearing a black outfit with gold patterns, her long gray hair flowing down her back, and shark-tooth-shaped hair ornaments hanging from her waist.

But at this moment, he was not alone.

Wei Zhuang stepped aside, adopting an extremely subtle, almost protective posture, and slightly lowered his head.

Immediately afterwards, a figure in black stepped in calmly.

His expression was calm, his steps were steady, and his aura was restrained yet exuded an air of authority.

Upon entering, he did not look at Han Fei or Hong Lian, but went straight to the main seat.

Zi Nu almost subconsciously and very naturally stood up to give up her seat and quickly served fresh tea, her movements incredibly smooth.

The music from Nongyu's zither abruptly stopped the moment Qin Chuan stepped in, leaving the private room deathly silent.

Wei Zhuang silently followed Qin Chuan, stopping half a step behind him. He crossed his arms, the hilt of his Shark Tooth Sword pointing slightly forward, and his cold gaze swept over Han Fei and the astonished Hong Lian.

This gesture was crystal clear—he had already submitted to the person before him!

Han Fei's nonchalant expression froze instantly, his fingers tightened around the folding fan, and his heart was filled with turmoil!

Qin Chuan! He's actually at Zi Lan Xuan! And in such a commanding manner!

Zi Nu's respect, Nong Yu's silence, Wei Zhuang's submission...

Everything was silently proclaiming to him: ownership had changed hands overnight! The new master of Zilan Pavilion was none other than Qin Chuan, who had even subdued Wei Zhuang!

Honglian felt a "buzz" in her head!

The aloof and handsome figure at the city gate last night overlapped with the man sitting in the main seat before me, a man to whom even the infamous Wei Zhuang bowed in submission, yet they were also torn apart into two completely unfamiliar sides!

Her heart felt like it was being squeezed tightly by something, a bitter and astringent feeling washing over her. An indescribable sense of grievance and immense disappointment overwhelmed her instantly.

He wasn't there to seek pleasure, but rather to be the "master" of this brothel!

Qin Chuan sat down in the main seat, then slowly raised his eyes, his gaze as calm as an ancient well, and fell on Han Fei.

“Young Master Han,” Qin Chuan began, his voice calm yet carrying an invisible pressure, “You want to see me?”

Han Fei took a deep breath, suppressing his shock, and a smile returned to his face, now tinged with seriousness and inquiry:

"Indeed. Brother Qin's brilliance yesterday impressed me greatly. I am taking the liberty of asking you today, young master, if you would be willing to stay in Xinzheng and lend me a helping hand?"

He extended an olive branch directly, his gaze intense, while simultaneously observing Wei Zhuang and Zi Nu's reactions.

Wei Zhuang's lips curled into a very subtle, mocking sneer. Zi Nu stood with her eyes lowered, seemingly oblivious.

Qin Chuan picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and moved with composure.

He put down his teacup, his gaze sweeping over Han Fei, then over Hong Lian, whose face was pale and who was biting her lower lip.

"South Korea is too small," Qin Chuan's voice remained calm, yet it was like a cold awl. "It can't accommodate what I want to do, nor can it accommodate your ambitions, Han Fei."

The moment the words fell, the door to the private room was pushed open again, and a clear voice rang out:

"Grandfather, Brother Han is inside... uh?"

At this moment, Zhang Liang, who was still a young man, appeared at the door, supporting the white-haired and stern-faced Prime Minister Zhang Kaidi.

The two immediately spotted Qin Chuan, who sat in the main seat with a composed demeanor, Wei Zhuang, who stood behind him like a guardian, Zi Nu, who stood respectfully to the side, Han Fei, who looked astonished, and Hong Lian, who was pale and trembling slightly.

A hint of shock and obvious displeasure flashed in Zhang Kai's cloudy old eyes.

Zhang Liang immediately fell silent, his clear eyes filled with surprise and uncertainty as he quickly scanned Qin Chuan, Wei Zhuang, and Han Fei.

Wei Zhuang's gaze swept coldly over the Zhang family grandfather and grandson at the door, and he slightly turned his body to block Qin Chuan's view more clearly.

The ferocious beast relief on the hilt of the shark-tooth sword gleamed with an eerie light.

He nodded very slightly but with undeniable authority toward Qin Chuan, who was seated in the main seat.

"Sir, the person has arrived."