“Among the Four Guardians of Tianqi City, the Azure Dragon Envoy Li Xinyue is the heir of the Heart Sword and mistress of the Sword Tomb. The Vermillion Bird Envoy Sikong Changfeng is the third master of Xueyue City and the world’s only Spear Immortal. The Black Tortoise Envoy Tang Lianyue is the foremost disciple of the current Tang generation and the future heir to Elder Tang. These three guardians are all renowned figures. However, the White Tiger Envoy alone remains mysterious—wearing a demon mask and sporting white hair, no one knows their true identity.” Su Muyu gazed at the tattered paper umbrella in her hand before turning to Su Zhe. “After that battle just now, Uncle Zhe, do you have any guesses about their identity?”

“The Wuji Staff is the treasure of Mount Huanglong,” Su Zhe said slowly. “Could this person be from the Dao sect?”

Su Muyu lowered her head in contemplation before shaking it. “They’re unlikely to be from the Dao sect. I feel uneasy—they’re more frightening than Li Xinyue.”

“Oh? You think the White Tiger surpasses the Azure Dragon?” Su Zhe asked, puzzled.

“Li Xinyue only cares about Tianqi City’s stability. As long as we don’t cross her bottom line, she won’t move against us. But this person is different. I can’t fathom why they came just now, nor why they left. They have their agenda, and their thoughts run deep.” Su Muyu sighed softly.

Su Zhe waved his hand with a smile. “Stop thinking about all this. Before, we were always the ones causing trouble for others. Now it’s our turn to have trouble brought to us. Consider it karma. When are you going to call that Changhe kid over?”

“Let’s wait a while longer,” Su Muyu shook her head.

“Ah, don’t be so grim every day. Since you’re here in Tianqi City, why don’t I take you somewhere interesting?” Su Zhe patted Su Muyu’s shoulder.

Su Muyu was taken aback. “I’ve already visited all the famous places in Tianqi City these past few days.”

“Where exactly?” Su Zhe asked.

“Qianjin Tower, Imperial Observatory, Question Heaven Stone, Dragon Rising Garden…” Su Muyu listed them one by one.

Su Zhe hurriedly waved his hands. “Stop, stop, stop! What kind of boring places are those!”

Su Muyu scratched her head. “Aren’t those the most famous places in Tianqi City…”

“Bah!” Su Zhe enunciated clearly. “The most famous place in Tianqi City is of course…”

Su Muyu thought for a moment. “The Imperial Palace?”

“The Imperial Entertainment Bureau!” Su Zhe declared loudly.

As the sun set in the west, lanterns began to light up one by one.

While most of Tianqi City was slowly falling asleep at this hour, this place was just awakening.

The Imperial Entertainment Bureau, with its thirty-two pavilions.

Under a sea of red lanterns hanging in the air, Su Zhe walked unsteadily, holding a Buddhist staff with a jade wine bottle attached to it. “Muyu, you’ve been to Tianqi City but haven’t visited this place?”

“I…” Su Muyu wasn’t sure how to answer, then after some thought replied, “I didn’t know the way.”

“That makes sense, makes sense. It’s easy to get lost coming to such places alone.” Su Zhe shook his Buddhist staff, spilling some wine which he caught in his mouth. “Wine doesn’t intoxicate, people intoxicate themselves.”

“Uncle Zhe, since when did you start drinking like that?” Su Muyu asked, confused.

“…” Su Zhe laughed awkwardly. “Because it makes me look refined.”

“Uncle Zhe, why has your accent suddenly improved?” Su Muyu asked again.

“…” Su Zhe laughed awkwardly once more. “Why do you care about such things!”

“Then Uncle Zhe, where are we going now?” Su Muyu inquired.

“A hundred flowers bloom in the Hundred Flowers Tower, and when the flowers bloom, beauties appear.” Su Zhe shook the wine bottle on his staff. “We’re going to the Hundred Flowers Tower, of course.”

The Hundred Flowers Tower.

A riot of colors.

Enchanting women with graceful figures, dressed in gossamer clothing, waved their peony-embroidered silk fans. They moved gracefully to the melodious sound of the ancient zither, some chatting among themselves, others approaching young masters they fancied to offer drinks, while some stood alone, lost in the music. But when Su Muyu appeared, all eyes turned toward him.

Su Muyu stood there alone, meeting their gazes with bewilderment.

He had once stood in dangerous places, facing thirty-six blood-stained blades with perfect composure.

Yet at this moment, he felt nothing but confusion.

Su Zhe smiled wryly. “Ah, perhaps I should have come alone.”

“Uncle Zhe, what should I do next?” Su Muyu asked hesitantly.

“What do you want to do?” Su Zhe smiled slightly.

“I want to leave…” Su Muyu answered honestly.

“…” Su Zhe was speechless.

A beautiful woman in purple clothing gracefully descended the stairs. She had apparently been the manager of the Hundred Flowers Tower for many years, yet she maintained the same charming appearance. Though years had passed, flowers had bloomed and withered, time had left few traces on her face. She remained as alluring as ever, capable of bewitching any soul. She glanced at Su Muyu and smiled slightly. “Is this young master’s first visit?”

“Yes,” Su Muyu replied.

“When such a jade-like young master graces the Hundred Flowers Tower, everything is yours for the taking. Today, the young master need not spend a single tael of silver—you may do anything you wish. What would you like to do?” the woman in purple asked gently.

Su Muyu raised his head slightly, thought for a moment, and replied, “I’d like to listen to the zither music.”

The woman in purple was startled, then smiled tenderly. “I don’t mind if you drink the finest wine or sleep with the most beautiful girls, but I worry when you want to listen to music. The last young man who came here to listen to music took away my pavilion’s most profitable girl.”

“Hmm?” Su Muyu wasn’t sure if this was a refusal or permission.

“Go on.” Su Zhe gently pushed Su Muyu with his Buddhist staff. Su Muyu stumbled slightly, and as the woman in purple turned to walk upstairs, he quickly followed.

On the second floor, there was a raised platform surrounded by white gauze. A woman sat within, playing the zither. Though her features couldn’t be seen, the music was extremely gentle and melodious—surely the player must be as gentle as flowing water.

“Does young master know music?” the woman in purple asked with a smile.

“A little,” Su Muyu said quietly. They arrived at the platform’s edge, where only a few seats remained empty, the rest already occupied. Among the listeners, one person seemed particularly engrossed, swaying his head to the rhythm of the music.

As the piece ended, that person opened his eyes, tossed a peanut into his mouth, then turned and saw Su Muyu.

He nearly slid off his chair in shock.

“It’s you.” Su Muyu was surprised—it was Second Master Tu from Qianjin Tower, who had followed him a few days ago.

Second Master Tu looked at Su Muyu, his voice slightly trembling. “I’m not following you this time.”

“Don’t worry.” Su Muyu sat down next to Second Master Tu. “I’m just here to listen to the music.”

“Young Master Su…” Second Master Tu pondered for a while before finding the right words, “What refined taste do you have.”