Chapter 894: Chapter 893 Mei Junyi_1
Walking down the busy street, the three of them fell silent.
It wasn’t that they didn’t want to save Gui Zhihang, but facing off against the royal court with their strength was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, easily crushed. Moreover, it would endanger their families and friends, so it was not an option.
"Damn it!"
Mu Ling suddenly cursed fiercely.
As a young king in the Martial World, he had just had to endure mockery and yelling from a jailer—the thought filled him with churning anger.
"I’m heading back to the inn first, call me if you need anything."
At a crossroads, Duanmu Keren bade them farewell without turning back, not wanting the others to see the sorrow in her brows.
She was a woman determined to stand proudly above the Martial World, never finding anything too difficult to overcome; one could only imagine how deeply Gui Zhihang’s situation had affected her.
Shi Xiaole silently heaved a sigh.
Compared to the royal court, the masters of the Martial World were ultimately insignificant, unless one reached the level of the Martial Emperor, truly transcending the mortal coil—yet there was only one Martial Emperor in the world.
Mu Ling, who loved wine as if it were his life, had no appetite for it today and also returned to the inn.
Shi Xiaole walked alone on the long street. Gui Zhihang’s plight also gave him a chill—what if he were the one in a dire situation; how would he save himself?
There was no way out.
But his troubles didn’t end there.
Just as he had seen Gui Zhihang, the system initiated the eleventh mission, which was also the second four-star task, to rescue Gui Zhihang!
Since it was a four-star mission, it meant there was a possibility of completion, not a dead end; and since Gui Zhihang was his friend, could Shi Xiaole stand by and do nothing?
Not to mention, he would eventually strive toward the Void Origin Realm, and to obtain top martial arts he must complete three four-star missions.
Hence, Shi Xiaole gritted his teeth and accepted the mission.
Unconsciously, the lanterns had already started to light up.
Shi Xiaole then realized he had unknowingly walked for over a two-hour period, lifting his head, he saw beside him a five-story building, exuding lavish beauty, tinkling with the sound of wind chimes.
Palace lanterns illuminated the long street, unveiling through the window lattice an interior as bright as day, bustling with lively scenes of singing and dancing.
"Drunken Spring Breeze."
The three large characters on the plaque made Shi Xiaole stunned.
There are three things in this world that can excite a man simply by their names: the imperial court, the Martial World, and brothels.
Drunken Spring Breeze was indeed the number one brothel of Sky City, even in the entire Flying Horse Dynasty.
It was said that even the maid sweeping the floors inside was a beauty out of a thousand and that the top ten famous courtesans were so renowned that countless nobles, wealthy merchants, and scholars could not even catch a glimpse of them.
Some passing men, after a fleeting glimpse, became infatuated with the beauties within, entangling their hearts to the point of obsession.
To ordinary people, Drunken Spring Breeze was a fantasized paradise, unreachable due to the lack of qualifications to even enter. To the elite, it was an intoxicating realm of desire, with limitless allure.
But the reason Shi Xiaole had such a deep impression of Drunken Spring Breeze was because Gui Zhihang had mentioned in passing that every time Gui Nanyan came to Sky City, he would enter Drunken Spring Breeze.
"Perhaps I should take a look."
An intuitive feeling guided Shi Xiaole toward the interior.
"Hold, honored guest. To enter, one must fulfill a condition."
Outside Drunken Spring Breeze stood no soliciting women, but two rows of robust men holding swords and blades. With Shi Xiaole’s eyes, he could tell that these men all possessed peak cultivations of the Dragon Gate Realm.
Just that alone displayed the astonishing background of Drunken Spring Breeze.
"What condition?"
As Shi Xiaole asked, a man suddenly exited from inside the building and approached the doorman, whispering a few words.
The doorman’s eyes flashed with a sharp glint as he laughed heartily, "Forgive my lack of recognition for not seeing Mount Tai. Since you are a distinguished guest, naturally, you cannot be treated the same as the common folk. Please!"
He gestured invitingly with his hand and led the way with politeness.
Understanding the situation, Shi Xiaole graciously followed him inside.
The interior of Drunken Spring Breeze was elegantly decorated, with a huge crimson stage in the middle and tables surrounding it.
As far as the eye could see, the people behind the tables were either refined or imposing, wild and unrestrained—not one was ordinary. Each was attended by a beautiful woman, but surprisingly, not a single man was seen touching them.
At the top of the crimson stage, man-made holes allowed the hazy moonlight to shine through, accompanied by drifting petals, making the dancing girls on the stage seem like Chang’e under the moon, with their light veils dancing gracefully, exuding an indescribable ethereal beauty.
Perhaps because the patrons were all outstanding individuals, entering this place seemed to purify both body and mind, giving an illusion of being superior.
Nonetheless, Shi Xiaole’s arrival still attracted much attention. Many couples engaged in conversation couldn’t help but lift their heads to look his way, and they were filled with admiration at the sight.
Like an exiled immortal entering the mundane world—if the women on stage needed the moonlight and petals to highlight their beauty, then Shi Xiaole nearly caused everything around him to lose its luster, becoming his backdrop.
"Who is this person? Drunken Spring Breeze stops accepting guests every rooster hour, yet he managed to break this rule."
Some people whispered among themselves. Seeing the doorman leading Shi Xiaole across the hall, the murmurs grew louder.
"The inner court is a place where only first-class guests can enter. Just who is this young man?"
"Could he be some prince, or perhaps the top scholar of this year’s examinations?"
The inner court.
Moonlight poured down like water.
Walking on a lakeside walkway, Shi Xiaole’s heart surged like stormy seas.
Because he realized that the backyard was enveloped by layers of the Void Origin Realm’s Array System, with his capabilities, he couldn’t decode it in the short term.
From afar, laughter carried over, and Shi Xiaole quickly saw the group of people in the pavilion at the heart of the lake, his eyes immediately showing surprise.
"Hahaha, Brother Shi, you have finally arrived, this prince has been waiting for you for quite a while."
A handsome young man stepped forward.
Upon seeing this, the other men and women in the pavilion all stood up, curiously sizing up Shi Xiaole.
"So it’s His Highness King Huan, I’m honored to meet you."
Shi Xiaole clasped his fists in greeting.
The handsome young man was none other than King Huan, who had wanted to recruit Shi Xiaole at the Sword Evaluation Elegant Mountain.
Considering the fact that Turtle had brought him here, it was very likely by King Huan’s instruction. It seemed that the prince had a close relationship with Zui Chunfeng. Shi Xiaole became extra cautious.
"Several years have not seen you, Brother Shi, yet your elegance rivals that of immortals. Truly enviable, please."
King Huan took Shi Xiaole by the hand and led him into the pavilion, this affectionate behavior astonishing those present, and even arousing flashes of jealousy in some, though they quickly passed.
A new set of tableware was added to the table, placed right beside King Huan.
"Your Highness, may I ask who this gentleman is? Feng Guoting is very eager to make his acquaintance."
The previous lively conversations at the table came to an abrupt halt when Shi Xiaole arrived, as King Huan immediately engaged in friendly conversation with him, seemingly forgetting all others, which led to some feeling both bewildered and slightly embarrassed.
The man who asked the question wore a deep blue robe and a jade crown, with an expression that could barely mask his pride.
Feng Guoting had every reason to be proud: the son of the contemporary Minister of War and a top genius of Jixia Martial Academy from the Wild Double Currents. Nearly fifty-three years old, his strength had already reached the level of an Invincible Earth Immortal, and he was a man of great influence.
Just three months ago, he was exceptionally chosen to join the Imperial Guard Camp that answered only to the emperor. Many predicted that with Feng Guoting’s talent, he would eventually become a core member of the guard.
Indeed, not just Feng Guoting, but everyone else present had their own remarkable backgrounds.
"Look at this prince, so excited that I’ve forgotten my manners. The one before you is none other than our Flying Horse Dynasty’s number one martial arts genius, the Kirin, Shi Xiaole."
As soon as King Huan finished speaking, a sudden silence fell upon the table.
Feng Guoting’s pupils contracted sharply.
Nowadays, there were few who hadn’t heard of the Kirin. His past achievements were already compiled into volumes by those with intentions, widely circulated in the streets, and had become legendary stories told by bards without any need for embellishment.
Even in Sky City, where talent abounded, countless boudoir girls and fiery young men idolized this genius who surpassed even the Martial Emperor of old, wishing they could meet him just once.
With Feng Guoting’s influence, obtaining a portrait of Shi Xiaole was not hard, but he was too proud to do so, hence he had not recognized him.
"So it’s the Kirin in person."
Feng Guoting smiled, a persistent gleam flickering in the depths of his eyes.
Everyone else’s expressions changed too, as they took turns greeting Shi Xiaole, seizing the chance to observe this legendary figure.
One particularly enthusiastic woman named Jie Yuyan kept finding opportunities to speak with Shi Xiaole, her brother Jie Yuhui unable to stop her.
Shi Xiaole was not accustomed to being the center of attention. Just as he thought to leave, the jingling of trinkets caught his ear. Turning to the source, his thoughts abruptly froze.
He had seen numerous peerless beauties before: the bewitching and seductive Ren Mengzhen, the elegant and otherworldly Ji Morou, the dignified and luxurious Yan Yuchai...
But the woman who approached now, in terms of facial features alone, seemed more outstanding than any he remembered, even surpassing Gui Fuling.
Her face appeared as if the heavens exerted all their effort in its crafting; a casual hair bun already took one’s breath away. Dressed in plain white with matching embroidered shoes, her deliberately aloof attire couldn’t hide her innate sensuality, every move she made stirred the hearts of men, as if she were a celestial being.
Everyone was entranced.
Some had seen the woman on several occasions, but each time, they were struck anew, losing all composure.
"Mei Junyi, at your service."
Her voice was delicate and sweet, forming a stark contrast to her untouchable demeanor.
Shi Xiaole’s heart skipped a beat.
At Divine Strategy Academy, they once ranked the top ten beauties of the world, and if he remembered correctly, the number one ’Jade Bone Proud Mei’ was named Mei Junyi.
Her charm was unmatched in the world, and it was said that even the youngest general of the Flying Horse Dynasty, known as the second Wei Langyi, ’Spear of Bone Dry’, Shentu Jue, was infatuated with her, considering her off-limits.
Over the years, no one dared to encroach on Mei Junyi, partly because of Zui Chunfeng, and partly because of Shentu Jue.
Most crucially, according to Gui Zhihang, the person Gui Nanyan secretly loved was likely Mei Junyi, who he visited Zui Chunfeng just to see.
Shi Xiaole fortified his mind and released his spiritual power, which nearly made him lose his seat.
Because he suddenly discovered that this physically weak woman without a trace of internal power had an extremely terrifying spiritual restriction in her mind, one that undoubtedly reached the pinnacle of the Void Origin Realm, operating very subtly.
If it were not for Shi Xiaole’s unparalleled spiritual quality, even if someone’s spiritual power matched the restriction, they would still fail to detect it.
"It seems this woman has a huge secret behind her!" Shi Xiaole silently took a deep breath.
"Thank you, Miss Mei, for gracing us with your presence and giving this prince such honor."
King Huan masked the fervor in his eyes.
No one knew who was behind Zui Chunfeng, not even this prince could fathom it. And as Zui Chunfeng’s leading attraction, Mei Junyi was famously cold and arrogant, and getting her to join was not easy.
Although Mei Junyi only gave a faint smile, neither warm nor cold, the influence of the world’s number one beauty was not to be underestimated, and the men around began to boast in various extraordinary ways, each trying to leave a deep impression on the beauty.
"Brother Kirin, your swordsmanship is well-known. I would like to learn from you, if you dare accept the challenge?"
After several cups of wine, Feng Guoting’s courage grew, and he suddenly stood up, directing the challenge at Shi Xiaole.
Under normal circumstances, he would not be entirely sure of defeating Shi Xiaole, but here in Sky City with the Array System’s enhancement, the gap between the strong and weak was greatly reduced.
Not to mention, Feng Guoting never believed that the gap between him and Shi Xiaole was that large.
