Xu Li whispered, "Recently, I went to the Garrison Camp and saw those soldiers, all armored while sleeping, not returning home at night, lying in wait as if preparing for something."

Lu Ren: "It seems Juliu City might be in for something big. Recently, I've seen many combined patrols by the Patrol Bureau and the Defense Army, even my noodle shop has been checked several times."

Lu Ren said this with great concern, seemingly very worried.

Xu Li waved her hand nonchalantly, "Come on now. Juliu City has stood tall for so many years, and there have been countless schemers over time. They're still here now, aren't they? Alright, I'm heading back, or else my father will nag at me.

Your noodle shop tastes great, don't worry. There's no major problem, Juliu City is unlike others, there are no greasing of palms here."

After parting, Lu Ren's expression calmed as he watched Xu Li bounce away.

It seems I couldn't extract the most crucial information. While Xu Li is talkative, she's tight-lipped about key details.

Anyway, as long as it doesn't affect him, that's all that matters.

He was not keen on delving into Underworld secrets, treating it more as a place for Martial Arts development.

Several days passed, and the tense atmosphere in Juliu City began to relax gradually. On the streets, those marked in red had significantly decreased, as Lu Ren observed.

The Defense Army's constant patrols had disappeared, leaving only the Patrol Bureau outside, lax but inwardly tense, closely monitoring the movements in Juliu City.

Everything seemed to settle down.

On this day, as Lu Ren was eating a bowl of noodles on the first floor of a noodle shop, preparing to leave, he perked his ear slightly, catching a conversation from a private room upstairs.

"Enough, stop discussing these things in the marketplace. The Main Priest has already determined the key is in Juliu City, we just need to search carefully."

Someone couldn't help but complain in a low voice, "If the key is in the Governor's Mansion, that would be tricky."

"Don't worry, top experts have been sent from above, we just need to assist, it won't affect us. Finish eating and get to work. This noodle shop's flavors are delightful; I've been here for three days now."

The subsequent conversation turned to trivial chit-chat, which Lu Ren dismissed.

The Main Priest, huh...

They can even divine it?!

Lu Ren showed a ponderous look, realizing that the opposing force wasn't strong, merely minions, judging from their peripheral status.

He went into the backyard, looking at Li Tianming diligently practicing his Fist Technique. Lu Ren directly instructed, "Find someone to tail those people from the second-floor private room and see where they finally gather."

Li Tianming was stunned, not knowing whom to choose, and asked, "Teacher, who should I send?"

Smack!

A slap sent Li Tianming to the ground, Lu Ren coldly said, "Don't think I don't know you're cultivating subordinates. Get on with it."

Li Tianming scrambled up, feeling extremely awkward.

"I just signed up a few people with contracts. You saw it, only one or two are clever."

Lu Ren paid no further heed, continuing, "Don't go overboard, maintain the balance."

Li Tianming was slowly establishing his power around the noodle shop, though small, he was starting to exert influence.

After committing murder and overcoming his internal barrier, Li Tianming's Fist Technique progressed rapidly. The Phoenix Unification Fist had reached proficiency, and with the infusion of Bright Sun True Qi, his physique was entering a fast improvement phase.

Li Tianming proceeded to carry out the task.

Until nightfall, Li Tianming excitedly arrived at the courtyard, knocking on the door.

"Teacher, I found their resting place at night."

Lu Ren, who was meditating, slowly opened his eyes. With a slight wave of his hand, the door swung open, and Li Tianming entered with excitement in his demeanor, saying, "I found it. Those people are staying at a brothel in Pear Blossom Square. It seems they have operations there."

Lu Ren pondered for a while, then, examining Li Tianming closely, finally sighed and shook his head.

"Forget it, you're not as handsome as I am, I'll go instead."

Li Tianming: "..."

After changing his outfit and shifting his facial muscles, Lu Ren's appearance transformed into someone else.

He headed to the Nine Curves Building in Pear Blossom Square, noting the brightly lit surroundings at night, bustling with as much vibrancy as during the day.

Aligned rows of three to four-story buildings lined the street, large red lanterns hung high, emitting a soft reddish glow.

At the entrance, scantily-clad, heavily made-up women were coquettishly enticing customers.

"This gentleman, our Nine Curves Building is the most famous around Pear Blossom Square, especially our Miss Qingluo. Her Nine Bends song captivates everyone!"

A mature manager beside Lu Ren, slightly aged but still charming, was engaging him in conversation.

She flirtatiously smiled, "You're new here, aren't you? Everyone knows our Nine Curves Building is top-notch, and the girls are all stunning. With your physique, you'd be very popular inside."

Lu Ren, showing a tempted look, allowed the manager to lead him into the Nine Curves Building.

As Lu Ren entered, a welcoming woman approached him.

"Little Hong, take care of this guest, make sure you don't slight him!"

Lu Ren's lavish attire and robust build were immediately apparent to any discerning onlooker, marking him as a Martial Artist, with well-toned muscles and a towering presence, indeed commanding respect even among Martial Artists.

Lu Ren asked, "Who's your leading lady here?"

Little Hong giggled, "Of course, we have one. Do you need a private room?"

Lu Ren nodded slightly, exuding confidence, "No worries, I have plenty of money."

Noticing the glint of several gold coins in Lu Ren's possession, her eyes sparkled, "Rest assured, we'll serve you splendidly."

He made his way to the private room on the second floor, rewarded Little Hong with a few silver coins, who then delightedly prepared tea for him, asking him to wait while they sent over their performer Little Que to entertain him.

Soon, a soft knock on the door echoed, followed by a gentle voice from outside.

"Little Que is here, pardon the disturbance, sir."

"Come in."

As Little Que entered, Lu Ren saw a graceful woman holding a long zither, stepping inside.

With charming eyes, a pretty nose, fair skin, and a captivating smile, she was truly a sight to behold.

However, in Lu Ren's eyes, the magnetic field around her was chaotic; she was likely a seasoned veteran, practicing the art of Absorbing Yang to Supplement Yin. The fragrance coming from her, though pleasant, seemed to stem from her Martial Arts practice.

As Lu Ren scrutinized her, Little Que also secretly observed Lu Ren.

Realizing his physique was neither the frail scholar's nor the usual, but rather robust and teeming with Qi and Blood, indicating a highly skilled Martial Artist, her eyes glistened with a watery shine.

Evidently, to someone like Little Que, who practiced the path of Absorbing Yang to Supplement Yin, a Martial Artist with such a strong physique was irresistibly tempting.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.