All-Out Brawl

The Sanchuan Prefecture was strategically located, not far from the Central Capital.

Similarly, it wasn’t a great distance from the Southern Domain, the territory of the Demonic Path.

It lay at the very heart of the entire Nine Provinces continent.

While this central location was purely geographical, almost every merchant caravan traveling from south to north or east to west invariably passed through Sanchuan.

Even the cargo airships of the Nine Provinces’ largest mercantile guild, the Treasurefall Coins, mostly made their transit stops here.

Thus, even if it didn’t serve as the political hub of the Nine Provinces Dynasty, its economic significance was undeniably substantial.

The entire Sanchuan Prefecture was considered a vibrant part of the Nine Provinces’ central plains, a veritable ‘flower world’ (TL Note: A lively, bustling place often associated with entertainment and pleasure).

The most cutting-edge products across the Nine Provinces, covering food, drink, entertainment, clothing, housing, and travel, were all available here.

Their prices were considerably lower than those found in the two capitals.

This abundance gave rise to the Pavilion of Misty Rain, the largest and most luxurious pleasure establishment in Lingzhou, the prefecture to which Sanchuan belonged, and even in several surrounding prefectures.

In any case, it was immeasurably larger than Gu Bei’s family’s Minor Sword Sect.

Perhaps it was the size of several Minor Sword Sects combined.

After all, the Pavilion of Misty Rain was one of the few places in the entire Nine Provinces where one could intimately associate with celestial maidens, or even male celestial maidens (TL Note: Refers to courtesans or entertainers, often cultivators, of exceptional beauty).

Indeed, by spending a sufficient sum—be it spirit stones or gold and silver—one could arrange for a private tea ceremony (TL Note: A private meeting with a courtesan, usually involving conversation and entertainment).

Gu Bei, however, found this practice utterly baffling, for cultivation was no easy feat; approximately sixty percent of all cultivators remained in the Qi Condensation stage.

One shouldn’t underestimate these sixty percent of Qi Condensation cultivators, considering that perhaps only one in ten people in the entire Nine Provinces could even embark on the path of cultivation.

Becoming a Qi Condensation cultivator was enough to secure a position as a constable in local government.

Constables in the Nine Provinces Dynasty were not lowly occupations; they were legitimate, officially sanctioned positions within the bureaucratic system.

They even had proper evaluation systems and clear paths for advancement!

As for cultivators who had achieved Foundation Establishment, serving as a county clerk in a local area was an effortless task for them.

The so-called celestial maidens performing at the Pavilion of Misty Rain were generally around the Foundation Establishment cultivation level.

Even though he’d heard that roughly ninety percent of the money from private tea ceremonies went into these maidens’ pockets, Gu Bei still couldn’t comprehend it.

Graduates from prestigious schools, reduced to accompanying guests for drinks…

No matter how much they earned, it simply wasn’t respectable.

Nevertheless, whether he understood it or not, these ‘celestial maidens’ were central to the scheme Gu Bei intended to orchestrate.

“My young friend, even with money in your pocket, you shouldn’t spend it like this,” Lin Yi remarked, his expression somewhat peculiar as he sat in the room.

“You indulged in drinks yesterday, and you’re back again today?”

“I’m simply enjoying myself,” Gu Bei chuckled dismissively.

“If you, senior brother, know any fellow disciples, feel free to invite them along as well; my purse can still handle it for now.”

“Ah, young friend, you’re still young, and you don’t realize that gold, silver, and spirit stones possess divine power,” Lin Yi cautioned, having accepted Gu Bei’s hospitality the previous day and feeling compelled to offer a sincere warning.

“By the time you’re ready for Foundation Establishment and find yourself short on funds, it will be too late.”

“Thank you for the reminder, senior brother; Langzhou (TL Note: Gu Bei’s alias) understands.”

“It’s good that you understand—but about you asking me to invite more people, were you serious?”

“Absolutely! Senior brother, please invite as many as you like; the more, the merrier!”

“Hiss… young friend, tell me honestly, are you…” Lin Yi trailed off, subtly gesturing upwards with his finger.

“You could say I’m ‘that person’s’ subordinate,” Gu Bei replied with a mysterious smile upon hearing the implied question.

He hadn’t deliberately revealed any flaws, and even if he had denied it at that moment, Lin Yi wouldn’t have suspected him, or at least wouldn’t have fully suspected him.

His invitation for a pleasure banquet (TL Note: A banquet with courtesans) the previous day, in Lin Yi’s understanding, was merely the way of the world, a tactic learned by street ruffians trying to make their way.

In simple terms, it was about finding a patron and paying respects to a local power.

Inviting him for another meal today likely meant there was a favor to ask.

Directly asking him to invite more people implied a deeper scheme, perhaps even one that wouldn’t be explicitly stated as a request for help.

Lin Yi’s question was merely a slight confirmation; if Gu Bei had denied it, he wouldn’t have completely dropped his guard, but neither would he have immediately assumed he was being deceived.

After all, the Hundred Hunt Gate was currently a target for three major factions, so it wasn’t strange for someone from another power to infiltrate.

They could be from a local cultivation family, the government, or even the Immortal Alliance.

There was even a possibility that this young friend Gu was a runaway, a rebellious youth who had secretly left home to directly join the opposition of the Immortal Alliance.

Gu Bei’s direct admission, however, surprised Lin Yi and, at the same time, allowed him to breathe a sigh of relief.

He didn’t inquire who ‘that person’ was; it was understood that they were someone unspoken of, yet influential.

“Senior brother, do you happen to have any… disciples within the sect whom you don’t particularly favor?” Gu Bei asked directly, seeing that their conversation had become more open.

“Oh? Oh!!” Lin Yi instantly understood.

“Yes! Indeed I do! Young friend, are you suggesting…?”

“As cultivators, we are all fellow Daoists; it’s always best to turn hostilities into friendships, wouldn’t you agree, senior brother?”

“Hiss… that’s certainly true… but young friend, give me the lowdown, nothing major will happen, right?”

“No, nothing major.

Even if things get out of hand, someone will step in to resolve it in the end.”

Lin Yi gazed at the profound expression on the face of this junior disciple, who had only joined the sect yesterday, and felt a sense of bewilderment.

His talent was decent; he had achieved Foundation Establishment in half a jiazi (TL Note: A traditional Chinese sixty-year cycle), but ‘decent’ was all it was.

Cultivators like him, with decent talent yet perpetually unremarkable, were countless within both the Demonic Path and the Immortal Alliance.

Forget about miraculous encounters; even their life experience was pitifully scarce.

Let alone having interacted with prodigies or geniuses.

Yet, looking at Gu Bei, who was smiling and speaking with such profound meaning, Lin Yi felt a certain…

…awe.

He suddenly realized.

Ah, those characters from storybooks and novels, whom he’d always felt were so distant, were probably just like this young friend Gu, weren’t they?

If Gu Bei had known what this Foundation Establishment senior was thinking, he probably would have been torn between laughter and tears.

Consequently, during this meal, Lin Yi and Gu Bei simply drank and watched the performances.

In the end, it was even Lin Yi who paid the bill.

They quickly and hastily returned to the sect.

****

The very next day, Lin Yi led a large group of people directly to Gu Bei.

“Young friend Gu!”

“Senior brother Lin!”

Lin Yi and Gu Bei exchanged a smiling clasp of hands.

“Yesterday, you mentioned wanting me to find more friends, and today…”

“Hahaha, senior brother Lin, you’ve truly honored me!”

“However, Langzhou (TL Note: Gu Bei’s alias) is not yet acquainted with these senior brothers and sisters, so I kindly ask you to introduce them.”

“No problem at all, this is…”

Gu Bei, beaming, greeted each person one by one.

Since he was the host today, and Lin Yi still held some influence, these Foundation Establishment cultivators all responded with cheerful smiles.

When Lin Yi introduced the last person, he gave a knowing wink.

“This one, you see, is none other than Senior Brother Wang Batian, a direct disciple of a Hundred Hunt Gate elder and a sect prodigy who is already preparing for Core Formation, with a nascent Golden Core (TL Note: The core formed by cultivators at the Golden Core stage, a major milestone in cultivation) already condensed within his dantian!”

Receiving Lin Yi’s cue, Gu Bei’s demeanor instantly became far more enthusiastic.

“Oh my, oh my! To have the honor of meeting a prodigy like Senior Brother Wang is something I wouldn’t dare dream of!”

“If Senior Brother Wang doesn’t enjoy himself to the fullest today, then the fault shall lie with me.”

Senior Brother Wang merely nodded arrogantly.

Truth be told, Senior Brother Wang was in a good mood today, as Lin Yi, who usually went against him, had actually bowed his head, humbly coaxing and inviting him to dinner with pleasant words.

Lin Yi claimed to have a junior disciple he was very fond of and wished to promote, hoping that Wang Batian, who was soon to become a Golden Core cultivator, would forgive any past offenses.

He had agreed outwardly, but inwardly, he planned to thoroughly fleece Lin Yi and then hurl insults at him.

What kind of stray cat or dog thought they could invite him to dinner?

If not for the thought that humiliating Lin Yi in front of his newly acquired junior would be even more gratifying, he would have directly refused and mocked him on the spot.

Yet, thoughts aside, once they reached the banquet table, it became Gu Bei’s domain.

First, he preempted the waiter, personally escorting Wang Batian to the seat of honor, then poured wine for him, starting from the highest rank downwards.

“It’s a rare pleasure to associate with a prodigy like Senior Brother Wang,” Gu Bei declared.

“If Senior Brother Wang has any needs whatsoever, you need only tell me.”

“Mm.”

Gu Bei’s humble posture and visible respect greatly pleased Wang Batian.

Having interacted with numerous cultivators from both the Demonic Path and the Immortal Alliance, Gu Bei understood perfectly what appealed most to Demonic Path cultivators, commonly known as demonic cultivators.

It was precisely this set of seemingly useless etiquette and flattery.

The Immortal Alliance, on the other hand, cared little for etiquette as long as their interests were sufficiently met.

Gu Bei was a master of banquet culture, adhering to three principles throughout the entire feast.

His bearing remained dignified, his discourse articulate, and his manners impeccable.

Under Gu Bei’s guidance, Wang Batian remained the undisputed center of attention throughout the banquet; every topic Gu Bei introduced made him feel exceptionally important.

This left Wang Batian feeling very pleased and delighted.

After all, while the Hundred Hunt Gate was counted among the Thousand Sects of the Demonic Path, his status as a direct disciple of a sect elder didn’t actually command much respect from others.

During trials and in secret realms, people, upon learning his identity, would either be indifferent or even more eager to challenge him.

Never before had he been directly fawned over and treated like a young master.

In his euphoria, he completely forgot his initial purpose, deciding instead to let this amiable junior disciple off the hook.

As for Lin Yi…

Once he reached the Golden Core stage, there would be nothing more to say; Lin Yi was merely a Foundation Establishment ant, and he’d deal with him too.

Wang Batian was beaming with satisfaction and self-importance; despite his best efforts to maintain a dignified composure, his pride and joy were unmistakable.

Moreover, after three rounds of drinks, his attitude towards Gu Bei had become considerably more cordial.

Observing Senior Brother Wang’s demeanor, Gu Bei surmised that the time was ripe.

He then spoke, “Senior Brother Wang, are you aware that most of the celestial maidens at the Pavilion of Misty Rain are actually disciples from Immortal Alliance sects?”

“That… I had not heard,” Wang Batian admitted, his tone now quite calm, openly expressing his confusion.

“What do you think of the celestial maiden on stage?” Gu Bei asked, a hint of drunkenness in his voice, laced with flattery.

“On stage…” Hearing this, Wang Batian couldn’t help but turn his gaze towards the performing celestial maiden.

At that moment, the maiden’s dance was exquisitely beautiful; her soft, slender figure appeared even more graceful, alluring, and enchanting amidst the dance, music, and lights.

Yet, she wore pure white, a choice that emphasized her aloofness, making her allure even more striking.

Wang Batian, being a demonic cultivator, wasn’t one for beating around the bush; if he desired something, he simply desired it.

“Indeed, she is captivating.”

“Senior brother, please wait a moment; your junior will go down and invite her up!” Gu Bei declared, patting his chest in assurance.

“This… but I heard the Pavilion of Misty Rain…”

“What is Senior Brother’s status! A direct disciple of a sect elder, and halfway to Golden Core!” Gu Bei exclaimed, raising his voice, his words and gaze filled with admiration.

“For that female cultivator to accompany you would be an immense honor for her!”

This flattery made Wang Batian feel light-headed with pride once more.

Lin Yi, seizing the opportune moment, added playfully, “Indeed, Senior Brother Wang still has no Dao companion (TL Note: A cultivation partner, often a spouse or close confidante); if she could attach herself to Senior Brother Wang, it would undoubtedly be that female cultivator’s great fortune.

“My only fear is that she might not appreciate the honor…”

“With Senior Brother Wang present, how could she possibly fail to appreciate the honor?” Gu Bei retorted, as if truly provoked by Lin Yi’s words, directly challenging him.

Lin Yi paused, then appeared somewhat flustered, ultimately managing only a bitter, disheartened smile.

Witnessing this scene, Wang Batian felt even more gratified; this junior disciple, having only just met him, was already so protective.

It seemed his personal charisma was quite formidable!

With a grand wave of his hand, he declared, “It’s fine! Go on! If she fails to appreciate the honor, I, your senior brother, will personally intervene!”

Gu Bei nodded excitedly, then pushed the door open and exited.

He quickly made his way downstairs.

“Celestial maiden, my senior brother requests your presence upstairs for a conversation!”

In the main hall, Gu Bei announced loudly, cupping his hands in a respectful salute.

The celestial maiden on stage frowned slightly but paid him no heed, continuing her dance as if he didn’t exist.

“What dish is your senior brother?!” a ‘flower protector’ (TL Note: A man who defends a woman’s honor or beauty) from below the stage exclaimed, unable to tolerate the sight, stepping forward directly.

“How dare he speak to Fairy Yun in such a manner?!”

“What dish is my senior brother?” Gu Bei retorted, seemingly enraged, then charged forward and threw a punch.

He was then knocked flat by the opponent’s single punch.

Gu Bei attacked, and was instantly defeated by a single punch; there was nothing more to be said.

After all, a third-stage Qi Condensation cultivator was indeed that weak.

In the room, however, Wang Batian instantly became enraged.

This junior disciple had first tried to flirt for him, then stood up for him when others insulted him, and now that he was beaten, how could Wang Batian possibly stand by idly?

The other senior brothers and sisters in the room displayed similar expressions.

When Gu Bei had flattered Wang Batian, he had also included them in his praise, rather than elevating one by stepping on others.

They all held a favorable impression of Gu Bei, and having had some drinks, being out together, and being fellow disciples, there was no reason for them to shrink back at such a moment.

Thus, the Foundation Establishment cultivators joined the fray, and the battle instantly became one-sided.

Gu Bei, seizing the opportunity, fanned the flames: “We, the Hundred Hunt Gate, have never feared anyone!”

This shout echoed throughout the entire main hall and all the private rooms of the Pavilion of Misty Rain.

How could an outside gang dare to bully a local faction on their own turf?

And these were demonic cultivators, whom everyone had a right to punish!

How could they be allowed to act so brazenly?!

Consequently, even more cultivators joined the battle.

The entire Pavilion of Misty Rain instantly erupted into an all-out brawl.