Chapter 171 Liu Ruyan's Business

Chapter 171 Liu Ruyan's Business

Chapter 171 Liu Ruyan's Business
There are three thousand red buildings and one hundred and eighty windows.

Looking from Piaoxiang Street, it seems that there are countless romantic eyes hidden.

There were dance pavilions and singing stages in the building, and the sounds of orchestras rose and fell one after another. The white peaches, pink lotus arms, slender waists and lotus feet, the faint fragrance of rouge and powder, and the market atmosphere of vendors coming in and out of the side doors mixed together to form this bustling world of red dust that was more than ten feet tall.

In the private room.

The four or five bottles of "Yuhuchun" on the table were empty. The long-necked, round-bellied bottles from the famous kiln were tilted and rolled all over the square table. The delicacies on the plates had hardly been touched.

This fine wine costs thirty-six taels per bottle. It is said that due to its name, it sells very well in Qianhonglou, with more than two hundred bottles sold every day. This alone can make Shangguan Yun a fortune.

At this moment, the only smell in the room was the lingering aroma of wine.

"He broke Brother Song's iron sword with just two fingers. I'm afraid he has already entered the post-natal realm."

"Humph, it's all Song's fault for underestimating him. I was not careful enough and suffered such a great humiliation..."

"You can't blame Brother Song entirely. He is so young, who would have thought that he has such a high level of martial arts skills! No wonder Master Tong was so fearful when he talked about Zhang Yu."

The man who spoke was about fifty years old, with a sallow complexion, high cheekbones, many pockmarks on his left cheek, and small but bright eyes, revealing the shrewdness of a businessman. He was Liu Rong, the elder of the Dharma Protector Hall who was responsible for maintaining order in Pingding City.

He had two gold-studded and silver-studded judge's pens tied around his waist. This most popular strange weapon seemed flashy but if you looked closely at the "pen tip", you could see a dark red deposit, which must have been soaked in blood.

When Song Rui heard what Liu Rong said, although it was true, he couldn't help but feel even more angry and slammed the cup heavily on the table.

"Zhang Yu! I will not be a human being if I don't avenge this."

He entered the Qi Hai realm before he was thirty years old, and learned sword skills from a famous master. Before that, he was also one of the top masters in Xuehe Beiyuan. In addition, his appearance was okay. Although not outstanding, he stood out among the mostly ugly people in the world, so he got the nickname "Jade-faced Scholar".

Song Rui has his own pride in his heart.

Those who practice advanced sword techniques must also maintain this kind of pride.

Only when the sword moves as the heart desires can it be invincible.

As a result, he was defeated in one move by someone who was more than ten years younger than him.

Song Rui's pride was shattered in the lobby of Xuehe Beiyuan.

Even though Zhang Yu's martial arts was better than Song Rui's, it was difficult for him to defeat him in one move. The main reason was that Song Rui looked down on him because of his young age. The power of Bei Ming's true energy was enormous, like a waterfall hanging from the sky. Zhang Yu also practiced the "Dragon Catching and Acupuncture Pointing Hand", and had profound attainments in palm, finger and claw techniques.

Fang achieved the achievement of 'Breaking the Sword with Two Fingers' on Song Rui.

Song Rui looked at the new sword on the table. It was also made by Longquan Sword Factory and was worth 1,500 taels. It was considered a top-grade sword, even better than the original one.

However, every time the sharp blade was unsheathed, the sound of "clang" kept ringing in his mind, and the scene of the sword being broken kept appearing in his mind.

If he cannot overcome his inner demons, his journey as a swordsman will be over.

Liu Rong sighed and said, "Master Tong specifically instructed us to dismantle the Blood Crane North Courtyard, leaving Zhang Yu as a lone commander, and weaken Di Baiying at the same time. Now it seems that this mission cannot be completed. I am afraid that Manager Yang will be unhappy."

Song Rui put down his wine glass, a cold light flashed in his eyes.

He was silent for a moment, then sneered and said, "That may not be the case! Breaking up the Blood Crane North Garden is not an option, but destroying it may be a possibility."

Liu Rong became interested and asked hurriedly, "Brother Song, what's your plan?"

"If he wants to keep his position in Xuehe Beiyuan, he can only continue to execute that blood file..."

Liu Rong asked curiously, "I've heard you mention it a few times, what exactly is the blood file?"

Song Rui was silent for a moment, then said, "I only took a quick look at that blood file, and I only remember that the person they were hunting down was named Yang."

"Surname, Surname... Yang, drink, drink..."

When Liu Rong heard that the man's surname was Yang, he immediately put away his curiosity due to the sensitivity he had developed in the Divine Religion over the years. He did not dare to ask any more questions, and ordered two more bottles of "Yuhuchun", and kept urging Song Rui to keep drinking.

There is a singing stage in Qianhong Tower, covered with a soft wool blanket as white as snow, like a huge bed. At this moment, two red-haired foreign girls with blonde hair and blue eyes came out, twisting their waists like water snakes. Suddenly, the building became like a pot of boiling water, and the crowd was boiling.

They only wore two pieces of white gauze, covering their snow-capped peaks above and their peach-shaped streams below. They were tall and plump, with a style that was completely different from that of the women in the Central Plains.

Liu Rong soon became completely drunk.

"Brother Song, keep drinking..."

"I have been a hall elder for eight years. Those who were promoted at the same time as me in the White Tiger Hall and Azure Dragon Hall next door have long been promoted to deputy hall masters..."

"Why? What's wrong with me, Liu Rong? I have shed blood for the Divine Religion, and I have made contributions to the Dharma Protectorate."

"Di Baiying is not a human being. He just refuses to recommend me to Chengde Hall and would rather leave the position of deputy hall master vacant..."

"Manager Yang wants... Di Baiying, he is unkind, don't blame me... The Dharma Protector Hall will sooner or later... belong to me..."

Most of Liu Rong's martial arts skills had been drained away by alcohol and sex. After gulping down a few pounds of wine, all his words came out of his mouth. With a 'bang', he fell under the table, snoring and turning into mud.

Song Rui put down his wine glass, looked at him with disdain, and sneered: "He forgets danger when drunk, is greedy for money and lustful, has no self-control, and has no sense of vigilance. Such a scum can also become a hall elder! It is really a shame for the Divine Religion and the Dharma Protector Hall. If not... I really don't want to associate with such a person."

After the two barbarian girls finished their dance, they were about to leave the stage, which caused dissatisfaction among the guests who had not yet had enough of the feast for their eyes.

"One more dance!"

Countless head wraps given as rewards were thrown onto the stage. The two red-haired women with fair skin and long legs stood there, not knowing what to do.

"Let her dance, let her dance."

The voices of those guests who really came for fun gradually merged together.

"Let her dance, let her dance..."

Song Rui heard the noisy sound coming from the building and felt unhappy. He picked up the new sword and lifted the bead curtain, and saw two foreign prostitutes standing on the stage, with hundreds of people chasing after them crazily below the stage. Just as he was about to lower the curtain, he saw a familiar figure appear in Qianhong Tower, moving among the crowd.

"Why is it her?"

Song Rui was curious. He glanced at the unconscious Liu Rong, walked out of the private room, walked slowly in the corridor, and observed secretly.

"Isn't that just a joke? Are you really going to Qianhonglou to list?"

She went up to the second floor and walked into the extremely elegant room at the east end.

After Song Rui confirmed it, he quickly came down from the third floor, walked around half a circle, and quietly approached the embroidery room.

At this time, all the guests and servants of Qianhonglou were attracted by the foreign girl, and the place was deserted. Seeing that no one noticed him, Song Rui boldly approached the door and heard the voices of three people talking from inside.

"What a shame!"

Inside the room, the maid in green shirt brought a pot of boiling water from the stove outside and carefully placed it on the tea table. This kind of rough work was originally done by the servant girls, so it was not her turn to help.

"Cui'er, there are guests here, don't be so naughty."

Shen Qingjun took out half a spoonful of "Cun Jin" from the precious painted teapot, put it into the cup, and scolded softly.

The man smiled and asked, "Why is Cui'er angry?"

The maid in green looked at her mistress and saw that she was not really angry, so she explained: "Miss Liu, you don't know, Madam Yang found two wild women from nowhere, and they perform some... weird dances in public every day, almost naked, disturbing Qianhonglou. There is noise day and night, and no peace. Many sisters have lost their business. Some who are struggling are discussing how to learn from them and dance weird dances without clothes."

Shen Qingjun brought the brewed tea to the man. She sighed and said with a smile, "Those two sisters are also pitiful people. They came from afar to the Ming Dynasty. They don't speak the language and have no relatives. They can only let Mother Yang control them. Xiao Cui, don't allow you to say 'Red Barbarian Wild Woman' anymore."

The maid in green nodded and said, "Miss, I understand." Shen Qingjun was protected by a nobleman and did not serve outsiders. She was considered a true courtesan. The disputes in the building did not affect her. Whether to see guests every day and who to see were all decided by herself, and the madam did not dare to ask.

Liu Ruyan picked up her tea, took a sip, and chuckled, "Miss Shen has a kind heart, and she will be blessed by God."

Shen Qingjun looked Liu Ruyan up and down and said with a smile: "I dare not defile the Bodhisattva. In my opinion, Sister Liu is a Jade Guanyin."

Liu Ruyan wore a long robe and tied her hair into a bun, dressed like a man. Anyone who saw this "man" with a bulging chest, a slender waist, and a thousand kinds of tenderness in her eyes would not mistake her for him.

Just to block out the glare, walking in Qianhonglou can avoid a lot of unnecessary troubles.

Shen Qingjun smiled and said, "Sister Rong, let me tell you something. If Sister Liu is willing to join Qianhonglou, the attention she will receive will definitely not be less than that of a foreign beauty."

Liu Ruyan was not angry. Instead, she was in a good mood when she was praised for her beauty and was certified as an oiran.

But after she drank the tea, she felt a little awkward sitting on the chair, as if she wanted to say something but couldn't. After a while, she said, "I haven't formally thanked Miss Shen for introducing me to several businesses, which solved my urgent needs."

Shen Qingjun poured her another cup of tea and said, "It's not easy for you either. You are often short of money. But after all, there are only a few scattered customers. It's not a long-term way to make money. Qianhonglou has its own rules. Other sisters also need to eat. I can only introduce you to business behind Mother Yang's back. Don't introduce too much, otherwise it will cause gossip."

Liu Ruyan said a little embarrassedly: "I am already very grateful. I am really sorry to trouble you, Miss Shen."

Shen Qingjun smiled and said, "We have known each other for a while, and I treat you as my sister. If you continue to say these polite words, it will hurt my feelings. I am not trying to refuse, but I just want to find a long-term solution for you."

Liu Ruyan nodded and said, "I am also worried about this. There are so many mouths to feed, and I can't conjure money out of thin air."

Shen Qingjun pondered for a moment and said, "Why don't you find a stable place to sell it, Miss Liu? You have good skills, so your business will definitely be good."

When Song Rui heard these words outside the door, he was extremely shocked and his three views collapsed.

Having been with Liu Ruyan for many years, he originally thought that her usual behavior was just a means for her to survive in the underworld. However, he never expected that... a leader of the Sun and Moon Sect would actually secretly put up a sign in Qianhonglou to attract customers.

Liu Ruyan whispered, "Selling on the street? It's just a bit embarrassing. I'm afraid of meeting acquaintances."

Song Rui cursed inwardly, this bitch, she still feels embarrassed!
Shen Qingjun smiled and said, "What's there to be embarrassed about? It's not easy for us women to live. Don't lock yourself up with so many red tape. Sister Liu is a person in the world of martial arts. She should play to her strengths and make her business prosperous."

"You're right. I'll think about it carefully. But this time..."

Liu Ruyan opened the wooden box, which contained twenty bottles of pollen and six boxes of rouge, all of which were exquisitely made and of high quality.

"I still have to trouble Miss Shen."

"That's okay. I will help if I can. Come back in three days to get the money."

Song Rui suddenly realized that Liu Ruyan came to Qianhonglou not to sell her body, but only to sell rouge and powder.

But why was she so short of money? Where did she get such a huge expense?

Liu Ruyan walked out of Qianhonglou and left the bustling Piaoxiang Street.

Song Rui followed far behind.

She left Pingding City, stood in front of the city gate, and looked up at the sun in the sky. It was almost noon.

"How much are these candies, old man?"

"Five cents a stick."

"I want twenty-three."

The old man with missing front teeth was so happy to see such a big deal that he couldn't stop smiling. He carefully wrapped it with oil paper and said, "Girl, take it."

Song Rui still followed from a distance.

After exiting the east gate of Pingding City and walking about fifteen or sixteen miles, passing through the woods, there was a small river outside and a small courtyard beside the river, from which the sound of reading could be heard.

Several women were washing clothes by the river. Near noon, a wisp of smoke rose up along with the sound of reading.

"Ok?"

Song Ruicai walked out of the woods and turned around to see Liu Ruyan appear behind him. It seemed that his whereabouts had been revealed.

"Why are you following me?"

"Just happened to meet them, who are they?"

Song Rui looked towards the courtyard by the river.

Liu Ruyan walked out of the woods and said slowly, "In the battle of the capital, a hundred brothers died in Beiyuan. After some widows ran out of pension money, they were unable to raise their children. So I built this orphanage by the river to take in those people and hired teachers to teach them."

Song Rui suddenly realized, "So that's why. No wonder you tried every possible way to make money and even went to Qianhonglou to sell...rouge and powder."

Liu Ruyan said helplessly: "Fortunately, I still have this skill, which is why I can maintain it until now."

Song Rui was puzzled and asked, "Why don't you tell the hall? Whether it's Hall Master Di or Chengde Hall, they should all be supportive."

Liu Ruyan snorted coldly: "I just don't want them to know."

"Why?"

"I don't want them to follow the path of their fathers and become pawns in the hands of those big shots. In such a big world, how many people can stand out? For people like you and me, after going through countless sword fights, becoming an incense master is not bad, but on the chessboard of those people, we are just a pawn."

"Living a peaceful life is the best life for them."

Song Rui nodded slightly, took out the silver bag from his waist and handed it to Liu Ruyan.

"Ok?"

"Those who died in the battle were also my brothers. We fought side by side. This is a token of my appreciation."

Liu Ruyan took the bag of silver, weighed it, and chuckled, "I didn't expect you to be so humane."

"Oh, then what kind of person was I in your eyes before?"

"He is obsessed with money and money, heartless and righteous, and only cares about himself."

Song Rui was slightly surprised when he heard this, and smiled, "It's rare to hear such a sincere evaluation. I should come to the orphanage more often in the future. I'm leaving today. If you don't go back, your maltose will melt."

Liu Ruyan looked at his back and suddenly said, "Why don't you go back to Xuehe North Garden?"

Song Rui stopped, turned around and asked, "Do you want to keep me?"

"That new commander looks kind but has a cold heart. I'm afraid he won't let you go easily."

Song Rui's face turned cold and he said, "Then let him try! Even if I can't kill him, I, Song Rui, can splash him with blood."

Liu Ruyan sighed softly, "We are the only old friends left in Xuehe Beiyuan. The longer I stay in the martial arts world, the fewer acquaintances I have. I don't want to lose any of you. This martial world is already cold enough."

Song Rui remained silent and looked towards the orphanage by the river. There were two roads in front of him.

He had been in the Blood Crane North Garden for nine years, rising step by step from an elite disciple to become the incense master. He had known people like Liu Ruyan and Blood Arhat for at least five or six years. Although they had a deep friendship, they were rare old faces in the Divine Religion with whom he could talk freely, and there was a rare degree of trust between them.

He looked at Liu Ruyan and said, "Okay, let me go back and think about whether I should leave Xuehe North Garden."

(End of this chapter)