vncnus Chapter 1950 11949 Though not successful, not far off.
Chapter 1950 11949 Though not successful, not far off.
Chapter 1950 1.1949 Though not successful, not far off.
Among the flower pavilions of Changlefang, a magnificent gate called Yonghuazhai stood out, making the newly arrived Huitiange famous in Beibao. Other flower pavilions participating in the championship avoided it like the plague, not daring to easily challenge it.
The Flower Pavilion Tournament is a three-day event. Each team will compete in a series of elimination matches. Only one opponent needs to defeat to claim the championship. Only one day and night have passed; there's plenty of time, no need to rush.
They won one victory after another, and all the most beautiful courtesans gathered. The entire Yonghua Village was bustling with activity, and the atmosphere was incredibly lively.
Yue Lingshan, the junior sister of the Huashan Sword Sect, who had saved her life, secured a place for her sect. The Huashan Sword Sect, along with the Emei Sect, a righteous sect, also joined the Demon Hunting Sect. It was a case of chance encounters leading to a life-saving act. They were complete strangers with no prior connection, yet the Demon Hunting Sect had come to their aid. The Huashan Sword Sect, considering itself a prestigious and righteous sect, could not simply forget past grievances. Their entire sect's allegiance was a testament to their deep gratitude.
Master Kumei, the leader of the Huashan Sword Sect, along with his beloved disciple "Qingfeng Female Swordswoman" Gao Yanan, as well as Liu Wumei (Jing Li), the wife of Shuang, the young master of Yongcui Manor, who was newly accepted from Bat Island, and Jin Lingzhi (Yu An'an), the daughter of the Bat Island construction master, came to meet.
Completely different from the rumored white-haired, wrinkled, one-eyed old woman, the "Master Kumei" before them possessed white hair, a beautiful face, and an elegant demeanor. She was untouched by any wounds, a truly stunningly beautiful woman. No wonder the Huashan Sword Sect, though not officially open for business, attracted swarms of suitors eager to catch a glimpse of her. Rare treasures and martial arts manuals were plentiful, and she was overwhelmed with requests. Spending lavishly for a smile is a common practice throughout history. To use a modern parlance: she really went all out to woo a woman.
In addition, Master Kumei, the leader of the Huashan Sword Sect, also took in another person. This person was Qiu Lingsu (Yan Nanxi), the former wife of the Beggar Clan leader, who was famous in the martial arts world for her unparalleled beauty and was known as the "Number One Beauty in the Martial Arts World".
Qiu Lingsu was disfigured due to Shi Guanyin's jealousy. After her appearance was ruined, she lived in hiding with Ren Ci, the leader of the Beggars' Sect, for twenty years. During this time, they were constantly poisoned and controlled by their adopted son, Nangong Ling, and the couple were imprisoned in the Beggars' Sect's forbidden area. After Ren Ci was murdered, Qiu Lingsu, as a key insider, exposed her adopted son Nangong Ling's plot to poison and usurp power. In the end, after completing her mission, she jumped off a cliff and committed suicide.
Perhaps it was the "disfigurement" that moved Master Kumei, the leader of the Huashan Sword Sect, to pity.
Taking advantage of the time while the various brothels were consolidating, and with the help of the Demon Hunting Sect's informants, Wu Chen thoroughly inspected Yonghua Village, inside and out. He initially thought that Yonghua Village had been placed into a "blessed land" by some reclusive master, becoming a cave dwelling with its own "miniature world." However, he discovered that this was not the case. It had simply been moved into the painted world by a spell similar to the "Five Ghosts Moving Mountains Technique." In other words, it was very likely that the old monk with the bald brush had simply painted Yonghua Village, along with its inhabitants, into the painted world. It wasn't that Yonghua Village inherently possessed the attributes of a cave dwelling, which could be freely released within the painted world simply by chanting an incantation.
In essence, a cave dwelling can also be considered a type of magical artifact.
Since it's not a magical artifact, it also lacks any "divine affinity." From a plot development perspective, the fact that Yonghua Village could remain standing in Beibao without any magical artifacts or extraordinary encounters is highly unusual. And unusual things are suspicious.
"Sister Xueji, since Yonghua Village was incorporated into the painting, have any new talents come to join us?" Wu Chen asked the question that had been on his mind, through the words of Princess Li Huixin, the strategist.
"Newcomers..." Bai Xueji, the leader of Yonghua Village, pondered for a moment before replying, "When we first entered the painted wall, the North Fort was bustling with people and tourists. It was quite common for prostitutes to come and go. It was only after the twelve flower pavilions were established that things gradually calmed down. As you can see, there are only old people in Yonghua Village, and no newcomers have been seen."
"I see." Princess's strategist Li Huixin then asked, "So the Twelve Flower Towers of the North Fortress were established later."
“Exactly.” Bai Xueji, the leader of Yonghua Village, pondered her past experiences and said carefully, “When I first entered Beibao, the Twelve Flower Pavilions stood side by side. During that time, the situation was turbulent. Looking back today, it all seems like a dream, and there are no unforgettable people or events.”
“This may have been done intentionally by someone.” Princess’s strategist Li Huixin spoke with a deeper meaning: “I suppose that before the Twelve Brothels, there must have been a great demon who stayed here and moved between the various brothels.”
"Does the strategist mean that a powerful demon was lurking in Yonghua Village?" Yonghua Village Chief Bai Xueji asked in a low voice.
"Hmm." Princess's strategist Li Huixin nodded gently and said, "If there are no surprises, it must be that scorpion demon."
“This…” Even now, Bai Xueji, the leader of Yonghua Village, was still completely unaware: “To be honest, strategist, we have never heard of the scorpion demon in the North Fort.”
"My lord is certain that the scorpion demon is disguised as a courtesan, mingling among the Twelve Brothels. She cultivates her evil arts by absorbing the life essence of her patrons. The construction of the Twelve Brothels in the North Fortress and the brothel competition are all decoys, designed to confuse and mislead." Princess's strategist, Li Huixin, secretly instructed: "Previously, Yue Lingshan, the junior sister of the Huashan Sword Sect, was used by this scorpion demon as a 'poisoning subject.' Not long ago, she (the scorpion demon) even came to our door, demanding the Yun sisters from Granny Yun." "So, this scorpion demon is indeed lurking in the North Fortress." Bai Xueji, the leader of Yonghua Village, gasped in shock: "Could it be that this demon is secretly protecting Yonghua Village?"
"It's pretty much true." Princess's strategist, Li Huixin, gave Yonghua Village Chief Bai Xueji a deep look: "Sister Xueji was worried that Yonghua Village was running out of money and would be unable to continue. So she sought out the Mingyu Gong to absorb true essence and refine an inner core. Just think, that scorpion demon sought the same thing."
“Absorbing true essence to cultivate evil arts.” Bai Xueji, the leader of Yonghua Village, hit the nail on the head.
“It must be so.” Princess’s strategist, Li Huixin, said firmly, “The Flower Pavilion’s brothel competition is a conflict of interest. The Flower Village’s wish has been fulfilled, which is also what that giant demon is happy to see.”
A grand competition at the brothels, with renowned courtesans from all sides vying for attention, one after another taking the stage. But lurking in the shadows is a monstrous demon, using the North Fortress gathering as a pretext to hunt down martial arts masters, absorbing their vital energy to cultivate its evil arts.
A typical example of a double line with both visible and hidden lines.
This is also the plot development mode that Wu Chen is most skilled at.
So when Elder Gu Xianniang, the Returning Heaven Elder, led her courtesans to challenge the various brothels, Wu Chen, with the help of informants within the Demon Hunting Sect, had been gathering clues about the scorpion demon. He finally pieced together the conspiracy behind the brothel's quest for glory.
"What should we do now?" Bai Xueji, the leader of Yonghua Village, asked softly.
"The Flower Pavilion will be the place to win the championship." Princess's strategist, Li Huixin, revealed the secret: "I predict that as long as we defeat the strong enemies one after another, we will eventually meet her again."
"Could it be that the Flower Pavilion Competition is actually a way for her to select the 'Queen of Flowers' to cultivate evil arts?" How could Bai Xueji, the leader of Yonghua Village, not realize this?
“Exactly.” Princess’s strategist, Li Huixin, had a profound look in her eyes: “There must be extraordinary people in the martial arts world who can see through the murderous intent behind the North Fortress. Places like the Hundred Treasures Pavilion and the Misty Flower Boat are among them. Therefore, joining the Demon Hunting Sect to fight against powerful enemies is also a way to ‘protect oneself wisely’.”
"So that's how it is." After hearing the whole story, Bai Xueji, the leader of Yonghua Village, suddenly understood.
The entire Demon Hunter Sect obeyed Wu Chen's orders. The next day, Yonghua Village remained inactive, choosing to remain unchanged in the face of any eventuality.
Huitian Pavilion's consecutive victories are due to three main reasons: first, to consolidate its forces; second, to wait for other brothels to merge with each other; and third, to conserve its strength for tomorrow's decisive battle.
"Who will challenge us to a decisive battle tomorrow?" Elder Gu Xianniang asked softly.
“Chang Le Fang must be among them.” Princess’s strategist, Li Huixin, had long anticipated this.
"So, the scorpion demon is hiding among the prostitutes of Changlefang?" Left Protector Sai Xiaojing asked quietly.
"Though not yet successful, it's not far off," Princess's strategist, Li Huixin, said, keeping everyone in suspense.