Chapter 23: The Gathering of the Four Great Powers

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Duan Jiutian’s choice was entirely within Mo Fan’s expectations. Yet, the answers Mo Fan sought remained elusive. Was the divine artifact unearthed from Panlong Mountain truly what he had been searching for? And what was the truth behind the Four Seas assassination orders issued by the three great families? He needed to unravel these mysteries one by one. These powerful factions represented the best sources of intelligence. Only by understanding them could he stay ahead of his adversaries, preparing in advance without living in constant fear. Since Duan Jiutian offered no information, Mo Fan turned his attention elsewhere. Here, he was not the only one privy to these secrets. Though Duan Jiutian claimed to collect all strange tales of the world, sometimes it was not direct inquiry but subtle probing that yielded the most truthful and valuable information.

“Heh, experts that even Brother Duan can’t afford? How could we, the Dou brothers, hope to hire them! I advise you to seek others, friend. Your lofty ambitions are beyond our help,” Dou Jian said sharply. After Mo Fan unwittingly aided Duan Jiutian, attracting many followers, Dou Jian had openly shown hostility toward him. Now that Mo Fan had been kicked aside by Duan Jiutian, Dou Jian was secretly pleased. The idea that Mo Fan would continue following him was laughable. He barely glanced at Mo Fan’s embarrassed expression.

Suddenly, Mo Fan sensed danger. He had intended to manipulate these men, but Duan Jiutian’s cunning had foiled his plan at the last moment. Failure was near. Yet, Mo Fan was not so easily dismissed. With a slight furrow of his brow, he already had a new plan brewing. Turning around...

“Greetings to the brothers of the Feather Pattern Pavilion and the Netherworld Palace! Forgive this little sister’s impertinence in not offering a dance!”

Having been cast aside by Duan Jiutian and rejected by the Dou brothers, Mo Fan stood amidst the crowd like a fool, his face flushed red and white with embarrassment. Holding a wine cup, he looked uncertain where to go, but inwardly, his plan was set. He prepared to act.

At that moment, the delicate plucking of strings filled the air, melodies drifting through the windows and stirring the hearts of all present. A clear, slightly provocative voice floated into the tavern, instantly disrupting Mo Fan’s scheme. Alongside the music came a captivating, sultry female voice that sent shivers down the spine of every listener.

“Little brother, if they won’t take you, why not come with me? I’ll tell you what you wish to know and take you where you desire to go.”

The strings abruptly stopped, and a bewitching woman appeared before Mo Fan. She was stunning beyond words, though the heavy scent of perfume almost made Mo Fan nauseous. Her thick makeup obscured her true features. Her large eyes, marked by hardships, gleamed with deep affection and irresistible charm. At first glance, Mo Fan immediately sensed that, like Xiahou Ji, this woman harbored a story within her heart.

Her figure was intoxicating, radiating an allure that entranced Mo Fan with just a glance. A man of his confidence was immediately beguiled by such bewitching grace.

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“This is a private matter, yet you pretend to be an outsider. Little brother, your schemes truly impress me,” the woman remarked coldly, suddenly appearing again before Mo Fan. Her tone was filled with chilling indifference.

Bang!

Her words shattered something within Mo Fan, leaving him drenched in sweat. Who was this woman who knew his identity? Not only that, but from her words, she also knew why he had come here. Since leaving the Necropolis Peak, no one but Xiahou Ji had been privy to this secret. Now this woman had exposed it in a single sentence, startling him deeply. What hidden intrigues lay beneath? He needed to uncover the truth.

“Who are you? How do you know this?” Mo Fan’s anger surged as he clenched his fists, ready to strike. Although he still harbored some doubts about Xiahou Ji, he was certain this matter was unrelated to her. Excluding Xiahou Ji, he now felt a chill of fear. This enchantress knew his identity and purpose—she surely concealed unspeakable secrets.

“Heh, little brother, don’t be angry. I’m Yao Xin, here to answer your questions.” Yao Xin displayed the alluring posture she often employed on stage, her eyes sparkling with captivating charm. Her beauty stirred the hearts of many young men present. Bull Ba Tian, in particular, drooled incessantly, his wide eyes filled with unrestrained fantasy.

Yao Xin teased Mo Fan boldly, showing him no respect. Though not the most famous at the Drunken Flower Pavilion, her name was well known. Even those who had never been to the Drunken Flower Pavilion in Ganzhou Prefecture had heard of Yao Xin. Now, seeing her in person, the young men were all entranced, their eyes fixed on her.

“Effortlessly playing the Fuyao zither, the Red Core of the Drunken Flower Pavilion!” Duan Jiutian placed his freshly raised wine on the table, murmuring with affection, his expression shifting from pride to displeasure. A seasoned veteran, he masked his annoyance with a forced smile, standing to nod politely to Yao Xin.

“Miss Yao Xin, why leave the Drunken Flower Pavilion to wander about? Has the Drunken Flower Pavilion in Ganzhou Prefecture gone bankrupt?” Dou Jian stepped forward after Duan Jiutian, his face filled with provocation. The Dou brothers knew well who this woman was. Dou Jian, representing his brothers, greeted her but never softened his sharp tongue.

“Oh, so the famed Three Heroes of the Dou family from the Netherworld Palace have arrived. I’m Yao Xin, at your service,” she feigned surprise, clearly unaware of the identity of the three brothers here. “I’ve heard the Netherworld Palace is filled with experts who constantly quarrel over who is the greatest genius. To settle this, your palace master, Mo Baifeng, erected a Heavenly Stele at the training ground, which forever displays the names of the top ten strongest. I wonder if any of you Dou brothers have made it onto the Stele?”

Her mocking tone caused Dou Jian to flush with embarrassment.

“You!” Dou Jian’s anger flared. He seized his longsword, ready to draw and confront Yao Xin.

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Everyone here knew each other well. If the Dou brothers had made the so-called Heavenly Stele, Yao Xin would certainly know. Her deliberate public taunt was a clear insult to them.

“Hmph!”

Yao Xin was no pushover. She ignored Dou Jian’s rage entirely.

“I’m too lazy to deal with you!” She brushed off their fury, turned around, and brazenly grabbed Mo Fan, her voice dripping with seductive charm. “Little brother, let’s ignore these uncouth brutes.”

Without caring for the burning gazes from the others, she dragged Mo Fan upstairs to the tavern’s second floor, disregarding whether he consented.

Mo Fan grew frantic. Everyone here seemed stranger than the last. Even the women intimidated him, leaving him trembling.

Unable to break free from Yao Xin’s grasp, Mo Fan desperately sought Xiahou Ji’s help with his eyes.

But Xiahou Ji simply watched from afar, sipping wine with a mischievous smile.

Yao Xin’s boldness was unparalleled. Having already greeted the Feather Pattern Pavilion and Netherworld Palace, she disregarded everyone else. Before setting out, her sister had commanded her with utmost urgency: “Bring Mo Fan into the Drunken Flower Pavilion at all costs. Even if it costs your life, you must win him over to our side.”

To fulfill this mission, Yao Xin had thoroughly investigated Mo Fan’s background. Today presented a perfect opportunity—how could she let it slip?

As soon as she led Mo Fan out of sight, half her plan would be accomplished.

“Such shameless seduction!”

Just as Yao Xin dragged Mo Fan away, a voice outside the tavern startled her into silence. Not only Yao Xin, but the usually composed Dou brothers and Duan Jiutian also rose abruptly, shocked.

Unaware of the commotion, Mo Fan glanced at Yao Xin’s changing expression, feeling unease rise within him. “It seems those who have come to West Ridge Panlong are no ordinary folk.”

“Yao Xin, I told you to grow up. Why can’t you stop your filthy tricks? If you want to take him, do it openly! All these schemes—what kind of skill is that?”

With a loud bang, the tavern door was forcefully pushed open by a powerful aura. A girl appeared, ethereal as a celestial maiden, standing before everyone.

Her face was like a gentle spring breeze, skin soft as willow leaves, eyes shining like the Eastern Morning Star, her slender eyebrows sharp as swords, exuding an otherworldly nobility. Her pointed nose gleamed like the dawn, accentuating her exquisite features. A flowing white dress swayed gently, adding to her celestial aura. Her long hair, neatly arranged behind her, radiated a faint, sweet fragrance.

“Lin Xiaojun! Don’t bully others so much. Though your Asura Martial Mansion has long been the leading power among the four great forces of Ganzhou Prefecture, and you yourself are a master, you’d better not meddle in my affairs. We have no quarrel—live and let live. Otherwise...” Yao Xin snorted coldly, stamping her foot as a dark force surged, shattering the stairs to the upper floor.

Ignoring Lin Xiaojun, Yao Xin grabbed Mo Fan and hurried toward a secret passage she had prepared on the second floor of the tavern. Once Mo Fan stepped inside, she planned to whisk him away.