Did you find the Dragon Qi host?

Xu Qi An’s heart leaped with joy. He pressed his hands on the railing and lightly jumped down from the fourth floor.

“Where is that young man?”

As he spoke, he waved his hand backward, and a light blue robe flew out to drape over him.

Li Ling Su initially didn’t think much of it, but from the corner of his eye, he saw Luo Yu Heng also flying down from the observation deck.

The State Preceptor wore no makeup, her hair simply tied up with a Dao hairpin—neat and efficient. Compared to a few days ago, her demeanor had changed dramatically, with a faint melancholy between her brows.

The flush hadn’t yet faded from her cheeks, and her eyes were alluring and gentle.

*What a beautiful companion…* Li Ling Su sighed inwardly, forcing himself to stop looking at her. He composed himself and said:

“In a pleasure house called ‘Spring’s Deep Passion’…”

“Spring’s Deep Passion?” Xu Qi An frowned in thought. “That’s not a proper pleasure house name.”

Pleasure houses typically ended with suffixes like “Tower,” “Hall,” or “Pavilion,” depending on their class.

“It’s not a proper pleasure house—more accurately, it’s a literary salon,” Li Ling Su relayed the intelligence from the Gong Sun family. “It was originally founded by a wealthy young lady who loved poetry and literature, specifically for hosting scholars and literary gatherings.”

“Later, her family fell on hard times, and she transformed the salon into a pleasure house, hiring talented women who had also fallen from grace to perform arts and accompany scholars.”

After speaking, Li Ling Su wondered confusedly: Xu Qian seemed very knowledgeable about pleasure houses.

Xu Qi An immediately understood, four words floating in his mind: Themed Entertainment House!

Such establishments were common in Great Feng, the most famous being the variety theaters.

The theaters’ theme was opera and acrobatics, but they also engaged in the flesh trade.

Additionally, some Taoist temples were similar, filled with beautiful Taoist priestesses who would pretend to discuss doctrine with worshippers, and eventually end up in bed with them.

From the worshippers’ perspective, they weren’t sleeping with courtesans, but with Taoist priestesses.

The class was completely different.

This “Spring’s Deep Passion” followed the same principle.

Xu Qi An turned to Luo Yu Heng: “State Preceptor, let’s go together.”

To be safe, bringing Luo Yu Heng would provide sufficient combat power against uncertain risks.

…

At Da Jiao Square’s barracks.

Agent Chen reached out to catch a carrier pigeon flying into the courtyard, removing the thin bamboo tube tied to its leg.

After reading the message, he said to Ji Xuan and the others behind him:

“We’ve found the Dragon Qi host.”

Ji Xuan’s team, who had planned to search after breakfast, were overjoyed at the news.

“Where?”

White Tiger, one of the Constellation members, pressed.

Agent Chen laughed:

“In a pleasure house called ‘Spring’s Deep Passion.'”

“Last night he got into a conflict with a customer over a woman. It caused quite a commotion, and when word spread, his hiding place was exposed.”

The Banana Leaf Taoist shook his head with a smile: “No wonder we couldn’t find him in any inns—the young man was hiding in a pleasure house.”

Xu Yuan Shuang corrected: “This isn’t hiding—it’s fortune secretly guiding him to avoid danger, keeping him away from inns.”

Liu Hong Mian, who didn’t get along with Xu Yuan Shuang, said coquettishly:

“By your logic, he shouldn’t have gotten into conflict with the customer, but stayed hidden quietly until we found him.”

Xu Yuan Shuang’s beautiful face remained cold as she said indifferently:

“He may have already left, avoiding us once again. Or perhaps someone with even greater fortune is seeking him. Don’t forget, Xu Qian has two Dragon Qi accompanying him.”

In her interpretation, the Dragon Qi host was exposed because Xu Qian was looking for him.

“Time is of the essence, let’s hurry over.” Ji Xuan looked at Agent Chen, speaking rapidly, “With the Gong Sun family’s intelligence network in Yong Province, they might get information as quickly as we do.”

Agent Chen nodded: “I’ll notify the Buddhist monks immediately. With Luo Yu Heng backing the other side, we can’t handle this alone.”

The Banana Leaf Taoist suddenly said: “Better not show ourselves—let’s ambush nearby to avoid frightening them away.”

…

Spring’s Deep Passion.

In an elegantly furnished, classical study, a graceful woman wearing light gauze sat reading behind a desk.

A golden incense burner on the table released wisps of sandalwood fragrance.

This young lady was beautiful, and when reading, she carried the educated air of a noble family’s daughter.

But her dress contained subtle eroticism, enticing men.

The combination of these qualities created an indescribable allure.

Miao You Fang stood by the window, admiring the snowscape outside as snow fell in flurries.

After a while, he glanced back at the beauty by the table and scratched his head.

After that day when he’d killed the Six-Board gambling house owner with one sword strike, taking his revenge, Miao You Fang had planned to stay at an inn.

On the way, he’d encountered a thief stealing a respectable woman’s purse. Seeing injustice, he’d helped retrieve the purse and chase away the thief.

Unexpectedly, that beautiful young lady was one of “Spring’s Deep Passion’s” top courtesans, named Zi Yuan.

Miss Zi Yuan had taken a strong liking to him and invited him to stay at “Spring’s Deep Passion.” Miao You Fang, a vigorous young man, couldn’t resist the temptation—while saying “No, no,” he was already taking off his pants.

Last night, a scholarly-looking young master had insisted on having Miss Zi Yuan accompany his reading. When she refused his forceful attitude, he’d tried to take her by force.

Miao You Fang had taught him a lesson and driven him out of “Spring’s Deep Passion.”

*Miao You Fang, ah Miao You Fang, you’re meant to become a great hero—you can’t keep indulging in beauty…* Miao You Fang coughed and said:

“Miss Zi Yuan, I must leave today.”

The young lady behind the desk raised her eyes to look at him, saying softly:

“Master Miao wishes to challenge strong opponents at the martial arts gathering to hone his skills. Rather than stay in the barracks, why not remain here with this humble woman?”

She didn’t want him to leave.

Miao You Fang was momentarily speechless. His instincts urged him to leave this place—Miao You Fang believed this was due to guilt from two days of indulging in Miss Zi Yuan’s beauty.

“It’s precisely because I want to challenge masters and hone my skills that I can’t be distracted. I need to focus on cultivation.”

Miss Zi Yuan pursed her red lips, disappointment flashing in her eyes as she said gently:

“Could the young master perhaps leave tomorrow?”

Miao You Fang struggled internally, his face showing difficulty. As someone inexperienced, he couldn’t lie to a woman without blushing.

At this moment, a sparrow flew over and landed on the windowsill, its button-black eyes quietly observing the two people.

In an alley a hundred meters from “Spring’s Deep Passion,” three people wearing veiled hats stood silently, a thin layer of snow accumulating on their shoulders and hat brims.

“Senior, how is it?” one man asked softly.

“The person from the portrait is inside,” Xu Qi An answered while sharing the sparrow’s vision.

He was cautious—considering a night had passed, the Buddhist faction and Sky Mechanism Palace likely also knew the news, so he didn’t rush in rashly.

He chose to first scout using a controlled sparrow.

“State Preceptor, please bring the person out. We’ll meet at Green Apricot Garden.” Xu Qi An turned his head, reaching out to grasp Luo Yu Heng’s delicate hand hidden in her sleeve, squeezing her palm.

*Disgusting!* Li Ling Su noticed this detail and cursed inwardly, feeling offended.

Luo Yu Heng gave a soft “mm” and was about to fly up when she suddenly paused, looking down at the hand that had suddenly tightened its grip.

…

Bang!

As Miao You Fang was thinking about how to refuse, the door was violently kicked open, and a group of people burst in.

Leading them was a gentle and handsome young man with a slight smile, giving the impression of being easy to talk to.

Behind him was a cold-mannered young woman, a stern youth carrying a long spear, an enchanting mature woman, an old man in worn Taoist robes, a tall and sturdy man, and a person from the Southern Borderlands wrapped in colorful robes.

These were the enemies he’d inexplicably made in Qing Province.

Besides this group, there were also two young monks, one with gentle features and one with an imposing presence.

*How are they here?*

*Are they here for me?*

*Why?*

As these questions flashed through his mind, Miao You Fang’s reactions didn’t slow. He decisively jumped up to escape through the window.

“Amitabha, turn back to shore,” a sudden gentle, rich voice sounded in his ear.

Miao You Fang’s body stiffened, his movements stalled, and he involuntarily turned back.

White Tiger and Pure Origin simultaneously reached out, grabbing Miao You Fang’s shoulders from left and right, pulling him toward themselves.

“Hmph!” Pure Origin snorted coldly, throwing a punch at White Tiger’s face.

The latter grinned ferociously and counterattacked. Their fists collided, and the qi explosion shattered the paintings, incense burners, porcelain vases, and other furnishings in the study.

Miss Zi Yuan, already terrified, felt a shock in her chest. Her face suddenly turned pale as she spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed softly onto the table, her fate unknown.

“Miss Zi Yuan!” Miao You Fang’s eyes nearly burst from their sockets.

Ji Xuan turned his head to look at Pure Heart, saying flatly: “As agreed beforehand, the Dragon Qi host belongs to us.”

Pure Heart pressed his palms together, reproaching: “Pure Origin!”

The warrior monk Pure Origin frowned slightly, unhappily releasing Miao You Fang, no longer fighting for control.

Miao You Fang’s eyes were bloodshot as he said through gritted teeth:

“I don’t know why you’re targeting me, but since I can’t resist, why harm the innocent?”

No one responded, as if this minor character wasn’t worth wasting words on.

“Take him away. Let’s walk around outside, let our late friend have a look.” Ji Xuan looked at his cousin Xu Yuan Shuang. “This young lady is somewhat injured.”

Xu Yuan Shuang said expressionlessly: “My things were taken by Xu Qian.”

Ji Xuan slapped his forehead and handed over the pouch from his waist.

After Xu Yuan Shuang fed the courtesan some healing medicine, the group left Spring’s Deep Passion.

…

“No need!”

Xu Qi An sighed: “They’ve already taken him away.”

Hearing this, Li Ling Su felt a wave of fear: “If the Dao Leader had gone out just now, she might have faced a joint ambush from the Buddhist Arhat and Vajra warriors.”

Under the light veil, Luo Yu Heng’s eyes were filled with melancholy as she sighed softly:

“If only I had advanced to First Rank earlier.”

The “Sorrow” personality had three treasures: sighing, melancholy, and self-blame.

“Senior, this is troublesome now. It seems we can only give up on this person and seek the next target.”

Since it wasn’t his matter, although disappointed, Li Ling Su wasn’t too anxious.

*For me, gathering all nine Dragon Qi is essential…* Xu Qi An pondered:

“I anticipated this possibility, so I prepared another plan.”

Li Ling Su instinctively asked: “What plan?”

Just as he asked, Xu Qi An removed his veiled hat.

Li Ling Su was confused by this, but before he could ask, he saw this old scoundrel Xu Qian raise his foot and kick him violently out of the alley.

At the same time, he heard Xu Qian gather qi in his dantian and shout like thunder:

“Heaven Sect’s Holy Son Li Ling Su is here!”

???

Li Ling Su never imagined that Senior Xu, whom he had always trusted, would do something so insanely treacherous.

Even more insane was watching Xu Qian calmly take out a round jade pendant after shouting, and calmly crush it.

With a “crack,” a clear light enveloped Xu Qian and Luo Yu Heng, and they vanished.

The next moment, a golden giant palm descended from the sky, covering the entire area.

The Arhat had made his move.

Li Ling Su fell into despair.