Chapter 220
Chapter 220: Big Fish
The two men had just begun to relax, yet even in death, neither understood how or why they had met their end.
At that moment, Li Mu Sheng’s gaze shifted and settled upon the two most skilled courtesans within the hall. Suddenly, he spoke: “One of you, go immediately to Hundred Refinement Peak. Tell their Sect Master I have slain his son. If he dares to seek revenge, let him find me here at Hundred Fragrance Pavilion.” Li Mu Sheng paused briefly, pointing to the corpses of Zheng Zi and his companion on the floor. “The other one, head to that Ninth Peak or whatever it’s called. Tell them exactly the same thing, word for word.”
The courtesans, who had stayed frozen in the corner without daring to move, were now trembling, their exquisite faces filled with fear. The two selected women turned deathly pale, scanning the hall uneasily before mustering the courage to ask Li Mu Sheng: “Young master truly means to let us leave?”
Li Mu Sheng waved dismissively, replying: “The Martial World is full of grudges and revenge. Who is guilty, and who deserves death? It’s not something easily decided. Just do as I have told you, and I have no further interest in your fate.”
Hearing this, the two women exchanged anxious glances and slowly rose to their feet, speaking carefully: “We would never dare disobey Young Master’s command. Your words will surely be delivered.” They held back their fear, gave Li Mu Sheng a wary glance, and slowly left the hall.
Moments later, upon stepping outside into the corridor, the two courtesans immediately looked at each other’s heads, checking fearfully for any sudden holes. To their immense relief, both were unharmed—nothing had happened.
“What should we do now?” one of them whispered shakily, her voice still filled with dread. The other cautiously glanced around, her expression shifting rapidly before responding: “Let’s first follow the young master’s instructions. It’s possible someone is secretly watching us.”
Hearing this, the first woman considered it for a moment and nodded. To them, distancing themselves from the Hundred Fragrance Pavilion, this dangerous place of trouble, was now their priority. Without another word, the two quickly departed.
As for the hidden martial experts in Hundred Fragrance Pavilion, none dared to openly spy on or interfere with Zheng Zi and the others’ affairs in the hall. Thus, despite witnessing the two courtesans’ departure, no one had the courage to question or stop them.
Meanwhile, Li Mu Sheng glanced towards the direction the two courtesans had gone and nodded in satisfaction. Then, turning his attention back to the remaining courtesans, he rubbed his chin thoughtfully and spoke once more: “Encouraging courtesans to leave their trade isn’t exactly honorable, but Hundred Fragrance Pavilion is doomed tonight. If you want to run, now is your chance.”
The remaining six courtesans stared at him in shock, seemingly unable to immediately grasp his words. All their lives, they had been playthings of Fallen God Peak disciples, so-called “courtesans” who appeared to have choices but, in truth, obeyed every command from the madam. Resigned long ago, they dared not dream of freedom, accepting their lives as toys, believing the towering power of Fallen God Peak guaranteed the pavilion’s permanence. They assumed their only chance of escape would come when their beauty faded and they were discarded.
Thus, in their hearts, they didn’t truly believe Li Mu Sheng. Though he had slain Zheng Zi and shown formidable martial prowess, capable of taking their lives with ease, they doubted he could survive a conflict with Fallen God Peak. This belief, ingrained deeply by the Peak’s overwhelming reputation, had been etched into their very bones.
Unaware and unconcerned about their thoughts, Li Mu Sheng left behind these words and vanished from the hall, his figure blurring like a phantom. In the blink of an eye, he appeared atop the highest sixth-story rooftop of the Hundred Fragrance Pavilion, calmly sitting on the ridge as he gazed down upon the entirety of Hundred Refinement City below.
Back in the third-floor hall, the stunned courtesans snapped out of their daze once Li Mu Sheng vanished. Filled with surprise and joy yet too fearful to hesitate, they immediately rushed out. Their sudden panic drew attention from others within Hundred Fragrance Pavilion. After interrogating a few fleeing courtesans, several figures hurried into the hall, only to be stricken by terror upon discovering the corpses of Zheng Zi and his companion, plunging the pavilion into chaos.
Yet, Li Mu Sheng, perched calmly atop the pavilion, cared nothing for these small fry. His thoughts were solely fixed on awaiting bigger fish, powerful figures soon to swim willingly into Hundred Refinement City.
…
Meanwhile, the Hemp Robed Elder swiftly moved through the night, Pink Clad Girl dangling from his hand. Close behind, two elders from Fallen God Peak pursued relentlessly.
“This is a disaster. Why did these two chase us together? That hateful guy stayed behind dealing with minor thugs; he’s probably relaxing right now!” Pink Clad Girl squinted her eyes angrily against the wind, clearly annoyed.
The Hemp Robed Elder sighed deeply, unclear if he agreed with her or merely mourned leaving behind the warmth and softness of the courtesans’ hands.
Suddenly remembering something, Pink Clad Girl angrily turned to glare at her grandfather: “And you, you shameless old man! We came to Fallen God Peak for revenge, likely doomed from the start, yet you still have the nerve to visit a brothel—”
However, the Hemp Robed Elder abruptly coughed loudly, interrupting her sharply: “Now’s not the time to discuss this. Quickly, give me the Hundred Poison Pill. I’ll try to create a poison mist to block their path.”
With a disgruntled snort, Pink Clad Girl reluctantly obeyed, knowing this wasn’t the moment for tantrums. She reached into her small embroidered pouch and retrieved a vividly colored poison pellet, promptly flinging it back toward the pursuing elders.
“It’s not yet the best opportunity… Alas, forget it,” sighed the Hemp Robed Elder resignedly. Turning swiftly, he struck out with his palm.
Instantly, darkness behind them seemed torn open by an invisible hand. Rolling Qi surged wildly from every direction, causing the air above the streets to solidify into an oppressive force. Bricks and stones rose violently into the air, disintegrating into dust, nearly causing the surrounding space itself to collapse.
Under this forceful strike, the poison pellet hurled by Pink Clad Girl exploded, releasing a potent, invasive poison mist that swiftly corroded the streets and enveloped the area in a deadly cloud.
The two pursuing elders, initially intending to shield themselves with martial Qi and charge through, found themselves stalled. The sheer power of the Hemp Robed Elder’s palm, combined with the poison mist’s ability to corrode even martial Qi, forced them into hasty retreat and defensive measures.