A Pawn's Passage

For someone who practiced the Fasting Technique for years, eating was not an enjoyment but a torment. Zhang Yuelu merely sipped a spoonful of chicken soup before pushing the entire bowl of wontons toward Qi Xuansu, making her intentions clear.

When Mage Zhang had an order, Daoist Qi would surely oblige.

Moreover, Qi Xuansu would not refuse more food because, for a Martial Arts Practitioner at the Guizhen stage, this was not even enough to count as an appetizer. It was not an exaggeration to say that Martial Arts Practitioners in the Heavenly-Being stage could have a feast every meal, consuming the equivalent of nine oxen in one sitting.

Then Zhang Yuelu sat in silence, watching Qi Xuansu finish off a bowl of chicken soup wontons, a bowl of duck blood vermicelli, and a steamer basket of soup dumplings.

After finishing his meal, Qi Xuansu joked, “Brother Tantai, with you gazing at me so tenderly, one might mistake us for lovers.”

Zhang Yuelu let out a faint snort and turned her gaze away.

Thanks to Qi Xuansu’s reminder, Zhang Yuelu remembered that she was now disguised as a man, Young Master Tantai, not Miss Tantai. Normally, she would not make such mistakes, but in front of Qi Xuansu, she always seemed to lose focus.

Qi Xuansu scrutinized Zhang Yuelu’s disguise closely and said, “I remember you looked exactly like this when we met Li Qingnu in Shangqing Prefecture.”

Zhang Yuelu asked, “You still remember how I looked back then?”

“It’s only been less than half a year. I’m not someone who forgets so easily,” Qi Xuansu replied.

Zhang Yuelu muttered, “I thought you’d forgotten; that’s why you didn’t recognize me in Jiangling Prefecture.”

Qi Xuansu coughed awkwardly a few times. “You never brought it up, so I thought you’d forgotten too. Turns out you were just waiting to bring this up now.”

“I had forgotten, but I dreamed about it last night, and it all came back to me,” Zhang Yuelu said with a chuckle. “I suppose I’m not that forgetful either.”

Qi Xuansu explained, “Actually, I underestimated you back then. After you were hit by the Bliss Needle, I was worried that you would lose your cultivation and get harmed by The Inn’s assassins. So, I thought I’d subdue you and hand you over to Sage Pei. But I didn’t expect you still had enough strength for a fight. I couldn’t even take you down. Then I started worrying you might turn the tables on me, so I had to go all out.”

Zhang Yuelu recalled the event. “At the time, I did wonder why we could fight so seamlessly against the Yuan family’s fighters. It turned out it was you.”

Just as Qi Xuansu was about to respond, Zhang Yuelu excused herself. “I need to go.”

Qi Xuansu said, “If you need to find me, go to the Taiping Inn and ask for Wei Wugui.”

“Got it,” Zhang Yuelu said as she stood up to leave.

When Qi Xuansu got up to pay the bill, he realized that Zhang Yuelu had already settled it. She had paid for his breakfast even if she just sat there and watched him eat, which made him feel a bit embarrassed.

Still, Qi Xuansu could not exactly chase after her to return the money. After collecting his emotions, he left the place.

...

There were generally two ways to find the local Beggar King—through a local gangster, or a local beggar. Getting a gangster to lead the way was much like how he had found the black market in Bohai Prefecture. With enough Taiping coins, one would be able to find anything.

Either way, it was impossible to avoid spending Taiping coins, as money made the world go round. This was precisely why Qi Xuansu had requested a “mission fund.”

After some thought, Qi Xuansu decided that beggars were often cunning and had a poor reputation. They were not considered part of the Jianghu brotherhood, so dealing with them directly might be troublesome. It was better to find an intermediary.

In such a vast city as Jinling Prefecture, there was no shortage of such intermediaries. After leaving the breakfast stall, Qi Xuansu wandered aimlessly through the streets and alleys, only to be stopped by a beggar.

The beggar was an able-bodied man with filth all over and not a single clean spot on him. His clothes were in tatters. Though he was begging for money, his tone was bold and self-assured. “Good sir, be generous and spare me a Taiping coin.”

Qi Xuansu did not hurry to give him money or drive him away. Instead, he asked, “Are you disabled?”

“Of course not,” the beggar replied, shaking his head. “My hands work fine, my legs too. I even killed someone just a few days ago.”

Qi Xuansu raised an eyebrow. “Barehanded?”

“With a wooden stick. That guy was unlucky. He bled out from his ears and nose as soon as I hit him on the back of the head. He was dead by nightfall,” the beggar said calmly. “But I can’t be blamed for it. In our line of work, when you take someone’s money to fight for them, you’ve got to be prepared for this. I might be killing him yesterday, but someone might be killing me tomorrow. Anyway, we all have the same end—thrown into a ditch.”

Qi Xuansu could finally confirm this man was no ordinary beggar but a professional one, part of the Beggar Gang who was often hired to participate in brawls. Since someone had come to him, there was no need to seek out a local gangster anymore.

He pulled a Taiping coin from his sleeve and waved it before the beggar, whose eyes lit up.

However, when the beggar reached for it, Qi Xuansu pulled it away.

“Looking for a free meal?” Qi Xuansu sneered. “Or planning to rob me?”

The beggar’s gaze swept over Qi Xuansu’s waist, spotting the gun and blade. He swallowed nervously. “No, no, I wouldn’t dare.”

Generally, the Beggar Gang did not provoke Jianghu fighters, and vice versa. The two kept to their own way without interfering with the other. After all, Jianghu people often disregarded government officials, let alone these minions.

Qi Xuansu lowered his tone. “I want to meet the local Beggar King.”

“Uh...” The beggar feigned hesitation, his eyes darting around.

Qi Xuansu added, “As long as I get to meet the Beggar King, I’ll give you 10 Taiping coins.”

The beggar shook his head. “That won’t work. Someone like me can’t meet the Beggar King directly. I’ll need to consult those above me, and I’ll need money to oil the wheels.”

Qi Xuansu asked, “How much do you think is appropriate?”

“50 Taiping coins,” the beggar said, holding up five grimy fingers.

“I can only give you 40 Taiping coins,” Qi Xuansu replied. “I don’t care how much you keep or spend, as long as you get me to the Beggar King.”

The beggar considered for a moment before nodding. “Deal.”

Qi Xuansu pocketed the single Taiping coin and took out two small cash notes. “This is a deposit. You’ll get the rest once the job is done.”

The beggar reached out and took them.

Qi Xuansu added, “One more thing. If you try any of your swindling tricks on me, these Taiping coins will go toward buying your coffin. That’ll still be better than ending up in a ditch.”

“I wouldn’t dare. Don’t worry,” the beggar hurriedly assured him. “I know what’s important and wouldn’t do something so foolish.”

Qi Xuansu waved his hand. “Lead the way.”

Under the beggar’s guidance, the two passed eight intersections, taking nearly an hour to arrive at a red-light district.

Red-light districts and places of indulgence varied in quality.

Upscale brothels had deep, serene, and elegant courtyards. The women were beautiful and skilled in literature, art, and music. Besides courtesans, there were also musicians, tailors, craftsmen, and servants, making the establishment self-sufficient.

There was also a unique category, such as the famous Ten Miles of Qinhuai in Jinling Prefecture. These were often private residences or ornate boats where renowned courtesans, unwilling to be controlled by madames, operated independently. These courtesans usually catered only to regular patrons, relying on the financial support of lovers and benefactors while maintaining an appearance of propriety.

Lower-class brothels were much inferior in both background and resources. Though they also offered singing, drinking, chess, and tea services, these small establishments could not afford top-tier courtesans or numerous servants. These establishments, occupying modest spaces, catered to small-time gentry and merchants and were shunned by the elite.

The lowest tier was known as the “door-half-open” establishments because there was no ambiance. Customers would just get straight to business upon entering. The prices were also low to attract the common folk.

This red-light district was home to lower-class brothels, with dozens of unevenly built, colorful buildings arranged chaotically. It was far inferior compared to the Sycamore Villa that Qi Xuansu had visited before. However, it was still much better than the door-half-open establishments.

At this early hour, the place was quite serene. But come nightfall, it would undoubtedly be filled with the sounds of flutes and strings, accompanied by bursts of laughter from men and women alike.

The beggar did not take the main road. Instead, he led Qi Xuansu down a dark alley lined with crude shacks, their rooftops packed tightly together, leaving only a sliver of sky visible.

The spaces between the shacks were filled with clutter, and the alley, lacking drainage, was riddled with stagnant water and reeked of foul odors.

The beggar stole a glance at Qi Xuansu, who did not gesture to cover his nose and looked unfazed. This sent a chill through the beggar’s heart.

He had a discerning eye. Those who were utterly unfazed by such harsh environments were often ruthless figures not to be trifled with.

Finally, the beggar led Qi Xuansu to an inconspicuous shack and knocked on the door.

A burly guard blocked the doorway, his chest covered in dark, curly hair. His hostile gaze scrutinized Qi Xuansu.

The beggar produced a handful of Ruyi coins and slipped them into the guard’s hand.

Only then did the guard step aside.

Beyond the door was not the cramped, narrow space one might expect, but a dimly lit passage resembling a mine shaft that stretched into the unknown.

The beggar led Qi Xuansu through the passage for about 250 meters. When they emerged again, they found themselves in a city within the city.

It was actually an urban slum within the city, a labyrinth of countless interconnected shacks that starkly contrasted with the bustling, affluent areas outside. The space was cramped and chaotic, perpetually shrouded in shadow.

Some referred to it as another Jinling Prefecture. Though above ground, it felt like an underground city, hidden from the light of day. It was a true den of rogues, devoid of law or morality but governed by its own set of rules, not those of the Imperial Court.

Even the Green Phoenix Guards were reluctant to set foot here.

As for the Daoist Order, the question was not one of willingness but of necessity. If deemed necessary, they would not hesitate to annihilate these lower-class figures but even high-ranking gentry.

The beggar turned to glance at Qi Xuansu again.

Qi Xuansu’s expression remained unchanged as he lightly stroked the hilt of the blade at his waist.