Chapter 316: Hearing the Wen Headliner Again

Seven days after Chu Fan returned to Celestial Heart Hall from Xingyuan City, Ye Xiaohan and his two companions finally arrived in Shuoyue City.

Chu Fan met with them in Residence Number One, located behind the Shuoyue City branch of Mr. Hong’s Auction House.

“When do you plan to return to the Central Domain?” Chu Fan asked them.

“Brother Chu, we plan to have some fun in Shuoyue City for a few days before heading back to the Celestial Dao Palace,” Ye Xiaohan said. “Our Master only gave me a three-month leave, and we travel slowly. The journey from here to the Celestial Dao Palace will take more than twenty days at a minimum.”

Chu Fan nodded. “For certain reasons, you must not mention to anyone that I am still alive. You must remember this. Do not speak of it to anyone, not even those closest to you.”

Ye Xiaohan was a little taken aback.

Chu Fan explained, “If people with ill intentions find out I’m still alive, I fear the Central Domain might declare war on the Eastern Domain. Furthermore, I would find myself in a difficult situation, perhaps even a deadly one. You don’t need to know the specific reasons. Just return to the Celestial Dao Palace and focus on your Cultivation.”

With the safety of the Eastern Domain and Chu Fan himself at stake, Ye Xiaohan and his companions naturally grew solemn, promising they would never reveal what they knew.

That night, Ying Xiao went to the residence in Celestial Heart Hall where Chu Fan was staying.

“So? Are you getting ready to head to the Southern Domain?” Chu Fan asked with a smile.

Ying Xiao nodded. “More than half of the Dark Night Envoys have already headed to the Southern Domain in waves. I plan to set out first thing tomorrow morning. The final hundred or so members will also head over, traveling separately in smaller groups.”

“I hear you’re pursuing Nan Chuting, the Sect Leader of the Mixed Element Sect?” Chu Fan asked with a smile.

Upon hearing Chu Fan’s question, a rare, awkward expression appeared on Ying Xiao’s already sharp and severe features.

“After this business with the God Slaughter Hall is over, I’ll personally go to the Mixed Element Sect to propose a marriage arrangement on your behalf. And when Yun Xi completes her training and returns, I’ll have her heal that birthmark on Nan Chuting’s face.”

“Thank you, my lord!” Ying Xiao said, cupping his fists.

Chu Fan waved his hand dismissively, his gaze hardening. “This trip to the Southern Domain will be fraught with danger. That’s why I’ve decided to make a trip there myself in a few months. Inform all the Dark Night Envoys: a mission is a mission, but survival is the top priority. Don’t be reckless or get greedy for glory.”

“Also, have the arrangements for everyone to assume new identities been made?”

Ying Xiao nodded. “They have. Once I arrive in the Southern Domain, I will be called neither Zhou Yi nor Ying Xiao. My new name will be Blood Inheritance. All Dark Night Envoys will take ‘Blood’ as their surname.”

Chu Fan nodded. “Alright, you can go. We’ll see each other again in the Southern Domain!”

“This subordinate takes his leave!”

At that moment, Chu Fan could not have imagined the bloody storm Ying Xiao’s departure would stir up in the Southern Domain.

The name Blood Shadow would become something so feared in the Southern Domain that it could stop a child from crying at night.

Blood Shadow would become a sharp blade plunged into the very heart of the God Slaughter Hall.

But that is a story for another time.

Watching Ying Xiao’s departing figure, Chu Fan became lost in thought.

He had always known that a final battle between him and the God Slaughter Hall was inevitable. At first, his motivation to move against them was primarily due to Leng Yingxue. But his decision to plant the hidden chess piece of Blood Shadow ahead of time was solidified when the God Slaughter Hall actually made a move against the Eastern Domain.

The reason he wasn’t accompanying Ying Xiao and the others to the Southern Domain was that he was waiting—waiting to see how the God Slaughter Hall would react when news of their forces being annihilated on Three Mountains Island reached them.

If he left now, he worried the God Slaughter Hall might send even more powerful individuals to stir up trouble in the Eastern Domain.

And now, another matter had arisen: the impending battle with the Northern Domain.

Since the Northern Domain harbored improper designs on the Eastern Domain, he had to find a way to sever one of its arms.

「The next day.」

Early in the morning, after Wen Ang returned from a run around Shuoyue City with the Dragon’s Roar Demon-Slaying Spear on his back, Chu Fan taught the three youngsters their Martial Techniques, as usual.

At Noon, Jing’an arrived.

The reason for his visit was that the Empress, Jin Chuhong, had awoken. He had volunteered to go to the border towns to join Chu Fan in the campaign against the Northern Domain.

However, Chu Fan denied his request. After drinking the Drunken Immortal Brew and undergoing a Purification of Essence and Marrow, it was the perfect opportunity for Jin Chuhong to begin practicing a Cultivation Technique. Since Jing’an was now in the Void Realm and Jin Chuhong was his wife, the task of teaching her how to cultivate fell squarely on his shoulders.

Furthermore, once Jin Chuhong began her Cultivation, she would inevitably be unable to focus entirely on matters of state, which meant she would naturally need Jing’an to assist her.

Jing’an would naturally not defy Chu Fan’s command, especially since Chu Fan’s intentions were for the good of him and his wife.

In the afternoon, a conversation between several Celestial Heart Hall disciples caught Chu Fan’s attention.

Disciple A whispered to Disciples B and C, “Have you guys heard? Simurgh Pavilion has a new top courtesan. They say she has world-toppling beauty. Ever since she was announced a few days ago, the place has been packed. All the Noble Youth in the Capital City are flocking there.”

Disciple B rolled his eyes. “I’ve heard, so what? Why are you bringing this up now? Don’t tell me you want to go to Simurgh Pavilion too? Aren’t you afraid of being punished by the sect when you get back?”

Disciple A slapped him on the arm. “I’m just talking! I’m just curious what kind of face could be called ‘world-toppling’.”

Disciple C whispered, “Shhh, I’ll tell you guys a secret. I actually snuck out to Simurgh Pavilion last night and saw that top courtesan you’re talking about. The woman’s name is Wen Ya’Er. She really does have a face that could bring ruin to a nation, and her figure is so graceful she seems boneless. Just a single glance from afar is enough to make your imagination run wild.”

Disciple A exclaimed, “Damn, you’ve got some serious guts, sneaking off to Simurgh Pavilion! Quick, tell us, what does she look like? How many silver taels does it cost to drink with her and listen to her sing?”

“Forget it. You guys shouldn’t even think about it,” Disciple C said. “I spent five hundred taels of silver last night, and all I got was a single glance from afar. If you want her to sing for you and drink with you, I reckon even ten thousand taels of silver wouldn’t be enough.”

“…”

Chu Fan didn’t listen to the rest of the disciples’ conversation.

The mere fact that the top courtesan’s surname was Wen made him think of many things.

‘Isn’t Wen Chan the top courtesan of Xi Jun Building in Jianye City?’

‘Simurgh Pavilion is also a brothel, one of the businesses under Che Dagui. It provides a great deal of convenience for Ji Bufan’s intelligence network.’

‘This courtesan at Simurgh Pavilion also has the surname Wen. Is it a coincidence?’

Chu Fan didn’t much believe in coincidences, so he decided to go and see for himself what this top courtesan’s background was. If she was also from Chaoyin Pavilion, it would mean the God Slaughter Hall’s infiltration of the Eastern Domain was already frighteningly deep.

That night, Chu Fan changed his appearance, donned a set of white robes, and, holding a folding fan, walked into the Simurgh Pavilion.

It had to be said, the brothels of Shuoyue City couldn’t compare to the grand ones in Jianye City.

While the major brothels in Jianye City were also places of pleasure, they had a certain refined, scholarly air. In Shuoyue City, Simurgh Pavilion was considered one of the larger establishments, but what hit you in the face upon entering was a thick, tawdry atmosphere.

“Aiya, Young Master, you’ve arrived!” a scantily clad woman reeking of rouge called out, flicking a silk handkerchief as she approached Chu Fan.

“I hear your Simurgh Pavilion has a new top courtesan named Wen Ya’Er? I’ve come specifically for her.”

“Aiyo, Young Master, you have excellent taste. However, Ya’Er was already booked for the evening by the eldest son of Minister Li for thirty thousand taels of silver. Young Master, if there’s one thing Simurgh Pavilion has, it’s an abundance of beautiful girls. How about I arrange another one for you? I guarantee she’ll be a peerless beauty as well.”

“Thirty thousand taels? I’ll offer one hundred thousand taels. How about that?”