"What exactly is going on?" Hearing the name 'Ming Yan Lou,' Ye Jingyu was instantly transported back a year and a half to the brothel where he and Liang Xiaoke had stayed. Back then, it was just a well-known establishment in Lingyan City. How could it possibly now rival 'Hua Man Lou,' which was under the jurisdiction of the Hundred Flowers Sect, in just eighteen months?

Considering that the entire Jiuzhou Continent had been embroiled in continuous warfare during this period, the ability to establish so many thriving brothels was no simple feat.

"The person behind Ming Yan Lou is someone called 'Ninth Lady,' though that’s just what outsiders call her. To this day, no one has seen her true face. However, judging by their methods, there is likely the support of the Rakshasa Gate behind them…" Now that Yao Rao had decided to serve Ye Jingyu, she spoke much more freely.

"Rakshasa Gate?" Ye Jingyu was taken aback, while Liang Xiaoke's gaze had already drifted once more toward the ample curve of Yao Rao’s chest.

"Indeed. One of the Ten Great Sects three hundred years ago. The Sect Master at the time, Yu Luocha, wielded the Rakshasa Art to an earth-shattering degree. Even Huangfu Yun and Bai Xiaodi were no match for her; she was definitely ranked among the top three in combat strength. It's a pity she perished at the hands of Xuanyuan Jue. Since then, the Rakshasa Gate has almost vanished, but I know they still exist, just like our Hundred Flowers Sect, waiting for a chance for revenge!" Yao Rao continued.

"Then do you know who the current Sect Master of the Rakshasa Gate is?" Ye Jingyu asked calmly.

"Once someone inherits the position of Rakshasa Gate Master, they relinquish their original name and are known only by a title. The current Master is called 'Blood Rakshasa.' Rumor has it she is over a hundred years old and is the youngest grand-disciple of that Yu Luocha. I hear she has two disciples; one is named 'Gui Jian Chou' (Ghost See Sorrow), and the other… I don't know. But I suspect that Ninth Lady is Blood Rakshasa's other disciple!" Yao Rao offered her conjecture.

Ye Jingyu nodded slightly, saying nothing more, his mind already weighing the potential impact Ming Yan Lou might have on Hua Man Lou.

"Do not engage with them for now. Since they are members of the Rakshasa Gate, it’s likely their ultimate target will be the Tianyuan Empire. What we need to do now is figure out how to suppress the Crown Prince's influence. You were by his side for so long; you must know him well. Tell me about his current situation!" After a moment of contemplation, Ye Jingyu spoke again.

"Does Young Master Ye know about the Soul Master behind the Crown Prince?" Yao Rao looked toward Ye Jingyu, completely unconcerned by Liang Xiaoke’s lecherous gaze.

"Are you referring to his great-grandfather, Hailang Bing?" Ye Jingyu replied flatly.

"En? Young Master Ye actually knows?" Yao Rao was somewhat surprised, as this was considered confidential information.

"His Majesty told me!" Ye Jingyu said coolly.

"Ah…" Yao Rao paused, but quickly recovered, a spark of joy flickering in her eyes. If that were true, didn't it mean His Majesty was still on their side?

"Since Young Master Ye knows this, I assume you also know that the Crown Prince has already cultivated Soul Arts and become a Soul Master?" Yao Rao regained her composure and continued her inquiry.

"That’s right, but what I don't understand is, he couldn't cultivate Soul Arts before; how is he suddenly able to cultivate the soul now?" This was the question perplexing Ye Jingyu.

"Hailang Bing passed down an 'Aperture Opening Pill' (Kai Qiao Dan), allowing him to become a Soul Awakener, and also bestowed numerous spirit elixirs, causing his strength to advance by leaps and bounds. Furthermore, he has three Spirit Manifestation realm Soul Masters by his side; you killed one, leaving two others. As for Grandmasters, there were only two, both of whom you killed. However, he has the backing of the Qin Family; Qin Yunxiao has now also reached the Grandmaster realm. As for exactly how many experts are truly beside Qin Yan, even I do not know!" Yao Rao spoke very cautiously, aware of the deep-seated feud between Ye Jingyu and the Qin Family.

"En?" Ye Jingyu frowned slightly, clearly not having anticipated that Qin Lie's power was so terrifying that even the Hundred Flowers Sect couldn't ascertain their full strength. But recalling that even Grandmasters like Yuan Xiang and Liu Qiuxue were merely their retainers, he found it understandable.

"Oh, right, Young Master Ye, my Master also asked me to relay her thanks for clearing out our sect for us by slaying that lustful woman, Liu Qiuxue!" At this moment, Yao Rao seemed to recall something and offered her gratitude.

"We are all family now, why bother with thanks!" Ye Jingyu shook his head, his mind preoccupied with thoughts of revenge. Having learned from the Blood Hengzhi incident two years prior, he decided he would not act rashly again without absolute certainty.

Seeing Ye Jingyu appear somewhat distracted, Yao Rao didn't press the matter further, merely standing quietly. She too needed time to process the news of Ye Jingyu being a disciple of Dugu Bacheng, wondering what kind of commotion such information would cause if it reached the Hundred Flowers Sect.

"Wait, you mentioned that Aperture Opening Pill? Doesn't that mean the Crown Prince can cultivate both Soul Arts and Martial Dao simultaneously?" After a moment, Ye Jingyu seemed to recall something of great importance and asked again.

"That's right…" Yao Rao nodded, her bright eyes assessing Ye Jingyu, filled with inquiry—how could he cultivate both simultaneously before?

"Interesting, very interesting. Not only are there more Grandmasters appearing in this world, but those who cultivate both soul and martial arts are also becoming more numerous. This Aperture Opening Pill… hehe… Miss Yao Rao, I will rely on you to put more effort into managing the Crown Prince's side of things in the future. As for when you will take over the Second Edict, that will have to wait a while longer!" Having confirmed the Crown Prince had become the second person to practice soul-martial dual cultivation, Ye Jingyu was not overly astonished. Any Soul Master, if they chose to, could actually cultivate martial techniques; it was just that they often overlooked the importance of the Martial Dao, focusing solely on nurturing their soul arts.

Thinking of this, Ye Jingyu suddenly recalled the 'Startling Thunder Saber Art' created by Dugu Bacheng—that move which directly summoned heavenly lightning. Was it truly just a martial art?

Or perhaps Dugu Bacheng himself was a Soul Awakener who gave up the cultivation of Soul Arts to become an unparalleled Saber Master?

The thought sent a fierce tremor through Ye Jingyu. If that were the case, it could only mean Dugu Bacheng’s dedication was too absolute; to wash the shame from his family, he abandoned the noble profession of a Soul Master.

However, anyone who could cultivate to the realm of Dugu Bacheng—what difference did it make between a Soul Master and a Martial Artist then?

"This humble one understands! If Young Master has no other instructions, this one will take her leave now!" Seeing the faraway look in Ye Jingyu’s eyes, Yao Rao spoke softly.

"En!" Ye Jingyu nodded, but just as Yao Rao was about to rise, he suddenly added, "Oh, right. Help me investigate the Gongsun family. See if they have made any moves in the past year and a half!"