A Pawn's Passage

Qi Xuansu was a common folk who loved money, so he was interested in Wang Baoyue’s arm cannon and Western gun. After a slight hesitation, he agreed to help the Green Phoenix Guard apprehend the pirate leader.

However, he had one condition: if they caught Wang Baoyue, the Green Phoenix Guard could keep the pirate leader, but Wang Baoyue’s possessions would belong to him and Xu Kou. How they would divide the pirate leader’s possessions between themselves could be discussed after they caught the man.

The Green Phoenix Guard major happily agreed to this arrangement. After all, he was willing to part with the Taiping coins in exchange for merit or a promotion.

The Green Phoenix Guard was confident in finding Wang Baoyue’s whereabouts because that was their forte, along with spying, solving crimes, collecting intelligence, and so on.

They targeted the passing ships because they determined that the pirates were hiding onboard with other passengers to get past the border. Judging from the results, their judgment was correct. However, they were not detailed enough with the inspection.

Furthermore, it was difficult to travel around without leaving any traces. That was the reason the Imperial Court did not abolish the travel permit system. Wang Baoyue did not have a travel permit or any official identification, making it difficult for him to hide in one place for long or wander around.

The Black Robes and the Green Phoenix Guard had also laid a trap, getting Diviners to perform the Earth Qi Recalling Technique so that they could track down Wang Baoyue. Thus, the pirate leader’s range of travel would only get smaller with time.

Instead, what they were worried about was Wang Baoyue’s resistance and retaliation, like a trapped beast backed into a corner. Since their purpose was to capture the pirate leader alive for interrogation, they could not use powerful firearms. Heavenly Beings who had the ability to capture Wang Baoyue alive effortlessly were the higher-ups who would not reduce themselves to catching a pirate.

The main reason the major did not wait longer to tighten the net but asked Xu Kou and Qi Xuansu for assistance was that he did not want this merit of catching the pirate leader to slip through his fingers. If the pirate leader left his jurisdiction, he would also be blamed for inefficient handling of the case.

After they came to an agreement, they had some free time because the Green Phoenix Guard still had to provide relevant intel on Wang Baoyue. In the meantime, the restless Xu Kou led Qi Xuansu and Liu Hu off the ship to explore the county seat of Wannian County.

Xu Kou had been active in the Jiangbei region since he had previously served in the Green Phoenix Guard and the Qizhou Daoist Mansion. He had been to Wannian County before, so he was quite familiar with the place.

After walking around the city, they finally arrived at a three-story building with colorful doors.

“Isn’t this inappropriate? There’s a child with us.” Qi Xuansu looked up at the sign above the colorful door.

“We’re just drinking, nothing else.” Xu Kou said nonchalantly. “At most, I’ll get two girls to pour drinks for us. I’m tired of pouring wine for myself.”

Qi Xuansu smiled helplessly. “As if that’s all you want in there.”

“I’m a widower. Isn’t it normal for men my age to visit such places?” Xu Kou joked, “I’m not blind like Tian Yuan to only have eyes for a tigress.”

Qi Xuansu was unsure whether Xu Kou was deliberately testing him or if it was just a casual remark. He feigned ignorance and asked, “Who’s Tian Yuan?”

“A friend and a colleague. That guy fancied our boss. It would have been fine since they were around the same age. But, Brother Wei, you don’t know what our boss is like. She’s a bloody tigress who can’t be subdued by just anyone. If Tian Yuan really marries her, he’ll probably be bullied. What a poor naive boy... ” Xu Kou shook his head.

Ever since the news of Qi Xuansu sacrificing himself to save Zhang Yuelu spread, there had been fewer rumors about Qi Xuansu being a boy toy who only wanted to use Zhang Yuelu’s status to climb the ladder. However, many people still did not think highly of him and Zhang Yuelu being together. After all, they were too far apart in cultivation level and family background.

Qi Xuansu asked knowingly, “Brother Xu, is your boss Zhang Yuelu, the famous disciple of Sage Cihang?”

“Yes, that’s her.” Xu Kou subconsciously touched his once broken hand, still traumatized from his duel with that tigress. “Brother Wei, have you heard of her?”

“Oh, I’ve heard of her, alright. I even met her just recently in Jiangling Prefecture.” Qi Xuansu joked, “She’s a decent person, but she’s certainly not easy to talk to. Next time I meet Mage Zhang again, I ought to tell her about your high praise of her, Brother Xu.”

Xu Kou coughed lightly. “Let’s not talk about her anymore. I need a drink.”

Qi Xuansu advised, “Since the Holy Xuan revived the Daoist Order, many have fallen from great heights because of messy entanglements in their personal affairs. Some, like the recent case with Liu Futong from Purple Immortal Mountain, were framed for additional crimes. Even if proven innocent in the end, his bad reputation would still be a stain that could never be removed. Brother Xu, now that you live in Jade Capital, you should be more cautious in such matters.”

“Thanks for reminding me, Brother Wei.” Xu Kou’s expression grew colder as he said, “But there’s a reason people call me the Little Yama. I have so many stains on me that it’s easy to frame me. But I’m not afraid of having a bad reputation. I’m infamous for being ruthless; that’s why the Sages like to use me as a rag to do their dirty work. Since I’m a rag full of stains, it can’t get worse than that. So to hell with it!”

Qi Xuansu glanced at Xu Kou in surprise. He did not expect Xu Kou to have seen things so clearly.

Xu Kou walked ahead. Qi Xuansu hesitated slightly before following, while Liu Hu trailed behind.

Liu Hu was not shy at all. She was just curious.

Judging by Xu Kou’s familiarity with the procedures, he was obviously a frequent visitor to such places. He casually threw a small Taiping coin to a servant, who immediately adopted a flattering and attentive attitude.

The servant had already noticed the trio as soon as they entered the brothel. However, the two men looked like officials, and they even brought a little girl along. So the servant dared not step forward rashly.

After Xu Kou rewarded him with money, the servant quickly led the trio inside.

Xu Kou casually said, “I want a secluded private room. We’re going vegetarian today, so get two to serve us. I’d prefer them to be in their thirties. Also, bring over some wine in the 3 Taiping coins range. Don’t try to fool me. Otherwise, I won’t spare you.”

“Don’t worry, sir. We are known for fair business here. We will never cheat our customers.” The servant smiled. Preferring mature ladies was not so uncommon in this industry.

Under the guidance of the servant, the trio came to a private room and sat down. The servant then went out to arrange for the customer’s preference of women and wine.

Xu Kou looked around casually and said, “Brother Wei, I appreciate your reminder earlier. So I’ll return the favor and warn you about such places. In this day and age, no one looks down on prostitutes anymore because many women do this voluntarily. But sometimes, they will make up stories to coax you into spending more on her.

“It’s always the same old sob story, like having a dead father, a sick mother, a brother studying hard for the Imperial exams, and a husband who gambles away all their money. These girls like to make it seem like the whole family depends on them for survival and that they are new to this business to make ends meet. So don’t take their words so seriously and don’t fall for their trap.”

“Duly noted, Brother Xu.” Qi Xuansu smiled and nodded before taking a seat beside Liu Hu.

Not long after, two women a few years older than Qi Xuansu came in carrying trays. They were good-looking, but there were signs of aging on their faces.

Xu Kou raised his hand and motioned for the two women to sit next to him.

The two women smiled, but their gazes landed on Qi Xuansu and Liu Hu because it was rare to see a customer bringing a child with them to a brothel.

Liu Hu was also staring at the two women. She had read many novels to kill time, and brothels were always mentioned in the setting. The novels she read often described prostitutes as beautiful with a special allure about them, so Liu Hu formed some unrealistic expectations.

Seeing these women in real life, Liu Hu found them to be beautiful, but there was nothing special about them. So Liu Hu quickly became disappointed.

The two women each had their own duties. One poured wine for Xu Kou, while the other played the lute and sang softly.

While Xu Kou was drinking, he chatted with Qi Xuansu and exchanged some boxing techniques and travel experiences.

At this moment, there was a noise outside.

The two men stopped talking.

Liu Hu’s eyes lit up because she was anticipating a dispute or a dramatic fight as described in her novels.

“Is someone forcing a girl into prostitution?” Qi Xuansu said suddenly.

“Sir, it’s probably a drunk customer causing a ruckus.” The woman who poured wine for Xu Kou had a keen eye and could tell at a glance that these two men were public officials.

Qi Xuansu stood up and went out the door without saying a word.

The noise came from another private room.