Chapter 291: I Am Going To

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“Don’t expect me to call you Emperor.”

“That is quite alright. I am not particularly fond of the title.”

“Hmph.”

Liu Jin and Xiao Fang have moved away from the rooftops of Imperial Cloud City. The alleys that run between the city’s countless buildings are so numerous and interconnected that they form an accidental labyrinth. There is no better way to move between districts without drawing attention.

There is also no smellier way. Due to the many recent festivities, there is a pile of trash in nearly every corner, giving the narrow passages a pungent odor. Without a doubt, it is not a place fit for the Young Master of the Xiao Sect or the Emperor of the Storm Dragon Empire, not that either of them looks the part right now.

Liu Jin is dressed in plain clothes made of hemp, though it wouldn’t matter if he were wearing something more conspicuous. His mastery over Art of the Roaming Thief has grown to the point where he can walk among regular people and not be noticed, something he tested at The Three Hogs just to be certain.

As for Xiao Fang’s robes, they have so many patches sewn on them that they are more patch than robe at this point. It is completely unlike the Xiao Fang in Liu Jin’s memories. In Eastern Port City, the heir was always dressed in fine silks. Liu Jin doubts he ever wore the same outfit more than twice. Granted, most of those had been variations of the Core Disciple robes of the Xiao Sect.

The change is also reflected on Xiao Fang’s face. He is not just physically older. There is a determined tiredness in his eyes. His countless struggles have left many scars on his body. They are not immediately noticeable, but the more Liu Jin looks at him, the more he finds. On the tip of ears. On his neck. Above his eyebrows.

Undeniably, he has gone through a lot.

“Did you have trouble making it here?” Liu Jin asks. “I cannot imagine it was easy considering your circumstances.”

Xiao Fang has been running from his aunt, Xiao Yifan, for years. Now, he has willingly come to the seat of her power. To call it unsafe would be an understatement.

“It’s fine,” Xiao Fang says. “So many people are entering the city, it’s impossible to keep track of them.”

One merely needs to listen to the night to know Xiao Fang is right. Loud music and songs, glasses clinking and shattering. Dawn must be less than four hours away, yet the various parties happening all over the city show no sign of stopping.

“It’s safer for him here as well,” Xiao Fang adds. “It would call too much attention if he left the city, but no one will think twice if it is him sneaking off to some bar. Everyone is doing it.”

A moment passes. Liu Jin is content to walk in silence.

Xiao Fang is not.

“What about you?” Xiao Fang asks. “I can’t imagine someone of your status would have an easy time making himself absent.”

“It was easier than expected,” Liu Jin says. “It was already known I would be attending the Crimson Cloud Tournament. Making myself scarce a few weeks earlier changes little. I have competent people handling most matters of governance.”

There had been some objections to his decision. Minister Chu wanted him to stay because the plans for the goodbye feast would have to be radically altered with him gone. Lei Kong managed to temporarily escape from his duties as Clan Head to offer to accompany him and even offered Lei Chen as a replacement when Liu Jin pointed out why that wouldn’t be wise. Curiously, the young cultivator had not seemed opposed to it.

As for Lu Mei…

“I would wish you a safe trip, but we all know that is an impossibility. Go and be triumphant.”

“How fortunate you are to have dependable underlings,” Xiao Fang says. “Xiao Heng sends his regards, by the way. He is useful, although a bit dim.”

Liu Jin smiles, happy that the man he helped so long ago is doing well.

“He had a difficult childhood,” Liu Jin says.

“He has a weird taste in women, more like.”

Liu Jin blinks. “Oh, you think that too.”

“I think women are a problem without a solution,” Xiao Fang says with unusual vehemence. “The world would be a better place if our parts did not fit, and my world would be better without any women at all.”

“You have a sister,” Liu Jin points out.

“Xiao Shuang is pure like snow, nothing like that harpy,” Xiao Fang says darkly before glaring at Liu Jin. “How could you betray her? I cannot believe you already have another woman! Is Xiao Shuang not good enough!?”

“Your father had multiple wives,” Liu Jin points out, not that he ever knew them.

“I will obviously hold you and my father to different standards!” Xiao Fang snaps back. “That’s just common sense. Now, out with it! What does the Feng girl have that my sister doesn’t!”

Liu Jin sighs and looks away from Xiao Fang’s glare. “I am not having this conversation with you.”

“Oh. Good.” To Liu Jin’s surprise, Xiao Fang sighs in relief. “To be honest, I don’t really want to hear about your romantic entanglements, but my duties as a brother compelled me to object to your libidinous ways and call you a scoundrel.”

“This scoundrel is here to help you.”

“Well, that just makes you a helpful scoundrel.”

Liu Jin and Xiao Fang glare at each other for five tense seconds before bursting into laughter.

“I have missed this,” Xiao Fang says softly.

“I do not believe we ever talked quite like this before.”

“Don’t make me say it.”

Liu Jin smiles. “I missed you too, friend.”

Xiao Fang looks away. It does nothing to hide his embarrassment, but if it makes Xiao Fang feel better, Liu Jin will pretend he does not see his reddened cheeks.

“Anyway!” Xiao Fang says, clearing his throat. “We’re here already.”

Of the many districts in Imperial Cloud City, the forty-eighth district is known for its countless bars and other seedy establishments. There are even talismans placed on the district limits to ensure it remains submerged in eternal night. It is a relatively simple illusion but one that adds to the atmosphere.

The building Xiao Fang has led them to is bright pink and surrounded by glowing smoke of many colors that occasionally arranges itself in all manner of bawdy shapes. A couple of drunks are sleeping on the other end of the street, and a naked man desperately bangs on the door, begging to be let inside.

The sign on top of the building reads ‘The Playful Flower.’

“This is a brothel,” Liu Jin says.

“And we’re men. What’s more natural than for us to go in?” Xiao Fang points out. “Come on.”

The inside of the Playful Flower is even more aggressively pink than its outside. The air is heavy with perfume and no small amount of aphrodisiacs. An unskilled person, upon entering, might find themselves making all manner of poor financial choices. That is clearly what happened to the naked man outside.

“Welcome,” the hostess greets them with an inviting smile and a voice like silk. “What is your desire, guest?”

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“That idiot Li owes me money,” Xiao Fang says. Unlike the hostess, his face might as well be carved from granite. “Where is he?”

The smile on the hostess’s face falls off, replaced by tired annoyance that looks a hundred times more genuine.

“Third floor. Sixth room to the right.” She jabs her thumb to point at the stairs behind her. “Beat him violently if you must. In fact, I insist. If you do, I will give you a discount, but hurt the girls, and you’ll regret it.”

Xiao Fang does not reply. He marches up the stairs in annoyed silence.

“She did not say a word to you,” he points out.

“She could not see me.”

“Hn.”

The third floor of the Playful Flower is made of a long hallway that stretches to the left and right of the stairs with multiple doors on either side. Mercifully, no sounds can be heard, likely the result of protective talismans that ensure the clients’ privacy and avoid disturbances. As soon as Xiao Fang nears the sixth door to the right, it opens, and a half-naked man comes out.

“Quick,” the man whispers to them, his hand urging them to come in. He has a prominent nose and a scruffy beard. His body reeks of alcohol and other things. However, none of that takes away from his cultivation.

No matter how he looks, he is someone who has reached the Ninth Level of the Earth Realm.

“What happened? You suddenly left and… oh.”

The prostitute in the bed stops talking when she sees her client has come back with company. She has a pretty face with dimples on both cheeks. Her hair is loose, and the bedsheets over her body are her only clothing. She looks at Xiao Fang and the man in confusion before nodding to herself.

“Very well,” she says with confidence. “This Plum is still new to her profession and has not yet handled multiple swords at once, but I will try my best!”

Xiao Fang stares.