It was precisely because of this that Ye Jingyu subdued the White Tiger Gang without shedding a drop of blood. As for Elder Lang's loyalty, he harbored no worries whatsoever. Unlike Jin Xiaolong's fickleness, Elder Lang was definitely a man who valued gratitude and held deep feelings for loyalty.
As long as Ye Jingyu helped him avenge his grievances, Ye Jingyu was certain Elder Lang would follow him devotedly... Dealing with people according to their nature—that had always been Ye Jingyu's guiding principle in life... It was already late at night, yet Ye Jingyu had no intention of returning home.
Ignoring the incessant chatter of Lin Xiaoyi, he made his way to the most notorious pleasure house in the entire Yun Jing City: the Tower of Flourishing Blooms (Hua Man Lou)... The Azure Dragon Gang was the oldest faction among the three major underworld societies. Even Luo Ruofeng could not uncover the identity of their leader, yet Ye Jingyu knew that Hua Man Lou was an asset belonging to the Azure Dragon Gang...
Regarding this mysterious Azure Dragon Gang, Ye Jingyu did not charge in directly as he had with the Golden Dragon Gang or the White Tiger Gang. Various signs suggested that the Azure Dragon Gang was far more complex than it appeared on the surface... At the very least, the fact that the grandest brothel in Yun Jing was their property spoke volumes about their significance...
Although the Sovereign, Luo Xiaofeng, had issued a strict decree prohibiting officials from engaging in commerce, and no official dared to challenge the Sovereign's authority, the sheer number of high-ranking officials and nobles who frequented the city's largest pleasure house meant Ye Jingyu would never believe the Azure Dragon Gang had no connections to them. Therefore, he had to exercise caution when dealing with the Azure Dragon Gang... "Old Blood, how long has it been since you've entertained a woman?
My treat tonight—shall I arrange a few for you to enjoy?" Ye Jingyu looked up at the massive signboard and suddenly smiled at Xue Hengzhi beside him... Xue Hengzhi rolled his eyes but couldn't be bothered to respond to Ye Jingyu's teasing. The young master was completely outrageous; did he think he wouldn't seek out women when he desired them?
"Oh, I forgot. You're already so old; your 'that aspect' probably isn't up to par anymore..." Seeing Xue Hengzhi remain silent, Ye Jingyu laughed heartily... "Hmph, my 'that aspect' is precisely my strong suit..." Hearing the suggestion that he was inadequate, Xue Hengzhi erupted in fury...
"Hahaha! Then tonight, let's have a good time! Little Linzi, you aren't the real Little Linzi either, so you should enjoy yourself tonight too!
The young master is in a good mood today!" Ye Jingyu roared with laughter, raising his foot to step toward Hua Man Lou. Before he even reached the entrance, a group of scantily clad women, smiling sweetly, rushed out to usher him in... Lin Xiaoyi couldn't grasp the meaning behind his young master's words—what did he mean he wasn't the real Little Linzi?
He had no idea that in The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, there was a certain Little Linzi who practiced the Bixie Sword Manual... However, seeing his young master enter, he mustered his courage and dashed inside. The moment he was enveloped by the fragrant, scantily dressed women, his face immediately flushed scarlet, and his heart inexplicably began to pound faster...
As for Xue Hengzhi, he strolled into Hua Man Lou with an air of composure, immediately slipping his arms around the waists of two women, looking as if he frequented such establishments regularly... Ye Jingyu, walking in the lead, maintained a gentle smile, his demeanor utterly calm—the look of a man accustomed to visiting houses of pleasure. Yet, only he knew this was his very first time stepping foot in a brothel; to say he wasn't nervous would be a lie, but he concealed it extremely well...
"Esteemed young master, which lady might you desire for your company?" An older madam, seeing that Ye Jingyu was handsome and exquisitely dressed, recognized him as the progeny of a wealthy family. She approached him with a face full of practiced charm... "Heh heh, I hear that Hua Man Lou harbors a woman named Yao Rao—one whose first smile can topple cities, and whose second can bring down nations.
Since I've come, I naturally wish to see Miss Yao Rao," Ye Jingyu chuckled, stating his request. He remembered that Yao Rao was indeed at Hua Man Lou, which was the very reason he dared not force his way in... For such a formidable figure as Yao Rao to remain here was enough to confirm the extraordinary nature of the Azure Dragon Gang...
"Ah, Young Master, perhaps you could select another lady? Besides Miss Yao Rao, we have Bi Yue, and Xiu Hua, and..." Upon hearing Ye Jingyu name Yao Rao, the madam's expression shifted instantly, and she hastily began introducing other top courtesans, but Ye Jingyu cut her off directly... "What?
Are you afraid this young master can't afford the bill? Let me be clear: I came here specifically for Miss Yao Rao today," Ye Jingyu's voice suddenly turned cold... "Young Master misunderstands.
How could a distinguished figure like yourself be unable to pay? It is just that our Miss Yao Rao is currently attending to a very honored guest," the madam replied, her face etched with embarrassment... "An honored guest?
How honored? Is he more honored than this young master?" Ye Jingyu snorted coldly, perfectly embodying the demeanor of a spoiled rich kid... His purpose today was to probe just how deep the backing of Hua Man Lou ran, and what kind of stance the Azure Dragon Gang would adopt...
"Young Master truly misunderstands. It's just that..." Seeing Ye Jingyu's aggressive posture, the madam genuinely couldn't gauge his background, yet the guest upstairs was certainly not insignificant either. Just as she tried to offer further explanation, Ye Jingyu interrupted her once more...
"Just tell me where Miss Yao Rao is. I'll go up and find her myself," Ye Jingyu declared, already moving toward the stairs... "My young master...
please, have mercy on this humble servant! Yao Rao—hey! Hey, Young Master, hey!
Guards! Stop him!" The madam pleaded, but Ye Jingyu paid her no mind. With a slight shift of his step, he bypassed several people and headed upstairs...
The madam remembered the instructions given by the guest upstairs: no one was to disturb his time with Miss Yao Rao. Abandoning all other concerns, she issued her command directly... She knew clearly that in the Shu Yun Kingdom, very few people held authority surpassing hers, and people of that stature would never frequent a brothel so openly.
Thus, even knowing Ye Jingyu was formidable, the madam had to stop him... In an instant, a group of burly men brandishing clubs rushed out from both sides, charging toward Ye Jingyu... Ye Jingyu swept a glance over them and was slightly shocked to see they were all masters at the Martial Master realm.
The Azure Dragon Gang, alongside the Golden Dragon and White Tiger Gangs, were known as the three major underworld societies of Yun Jing, yet this faction's strength far surpassed the other two. There was indeed something suspicious going on here... However, he paid the attacking Martial Masters no mind, continuing his ascent up the stairs one step at a time...
Seeing this, Xue Hengzhi shook his head, lamenting the lack of respect afforded to his own status, then casually waved his hand toward the attackers. Though these men were trained Martial Masters, they were no match for a Grandmaster, and they were swept away without any chance to retaliate... The scene immediately descended into chaos, while at that very moment, Ye Jingyu kicked open the door to a private room upstairs.
Upon seeing the occupants inside, he froze in stunned surprise...