Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Zhou Shu was a little puzzled. He rarely came to the capital, and there werenât many people he knew here.
Whatâs going on today? I havenât even finished strolling around the night market before two people who know me called out to me.
Am I already so famous?
Iâve become famous, but Iâm the last to know?
Zhou Shu turned his head around and saw a fully armed figure standing not far away, looking at him with surprise.
âLieutenant Cheng?â Zhou Shu was a little disappointed. He thought he had a passerby fan, but it turned out to be someone he knew.
âLieutenant Cheng, what are you doing?â Zhou Shu asked curiously.
Cheng Yong was in full armor with a Huben Saber hanging from his waist. He looked out of place on the lively night streets.
And behind him were a few soldiers dressed exactly like him.
Zhou Shu thought about his identity.?Could there be trouble in the capital again?
Cheng Yong looked at his outfit and smiled. âOh, weâre off duty and havenât had time to change.â
âWhy are you still here at this hour, Superintendent Zhou?â Cheng Yong asked curiously.
The Forging Divisionâs workshops were outside the city. At this time, the city gates were almost closed, but Zhou Shu was still leisurely strolling around.
He had never heard that Zhou Shu had a house in the capital.
Cheng Yong had known Zhou Shu for a long time. When Xiao Zongshui went to the Huben Troops camp to sell the Huben Sabers, Cheng Yong had already met Zhou Shu.
Later on, Cheng Yong was ordered to investigate traitors and even had a misunderstanding with Zhou Shu.
Afterward, Cheng Yong specially offered a humble apology and became friends with Zhou Shu.
According to his understanding, Zhou Shu was originally only a Forging Apprentice. Now, he had only been a workshop superintendent for a short period of time. In theory, he shouldnât have the ability to do business in the capital yet.
But it wasnât polite to ask Zhou Shu directly.
âItâs getting late. I donât think itâs safe to travel at night, so I plan to return to the workshop tomorrow morning,â Zhou Shu explained with a smile. There was nothing that he couldnât say. Even if he didnât meet the assassin, it was normal to say that the night road wasnât safe.
âYou donât have it easy.â Cheng Yong laughed. âWe are off duty. Superintendent Zhou, if youâre worried, we can escort you back.â
In terms of official rank, Cheng Yong was actually a higher ranking officer than a workshop superintendent. But a workshop superintendent was in charge of forging weapons. Sometimes, Cheng Yong had to ask the workshops for help.
Furthermore, with Zhou Shuâs current performance, it was very likely that he would become a Forging Master in the future. His status would be far above that of a lieutenant.
Thus, his attitude toward Zhou Shu was extremely polite.
âWill you escort me back?â Zhou Shu glanced at Cheng Yong and the others.
The few of them were all young and strong men. They were wearing golden armor and had Huben Sabers hanging from their waists, looking exceptionally powerful.
But in Zhou Shuâs eyes, they only looked good.
The Huben Troops sounded very domineering, but they were only a part of the Country Protector Army. Even among the Country Protector Army, they were not the best elites.
Their daily duty was to patrol around the palace.
If a powerful assassin really attacked while they were escorting him back, they probably wouldnât even be able to stall for time.
At that time, it was not certain who would protect who.
Some things couldnât be said directly, or it would be too hurtful.
âItâs okay. Iâm not in a hurry to get back to the workshop.â Zhou Shu shook his head.
âItâs rare for me to come to the capital. I still want to stroll around the night market. Besides, youâve all had a tiring day. Itâs better to go back and rest early.â
âI see.â Cheng Yong pondered for a moment.
âSuperintendent Zhou, weâre about to have some wine. If you donât mind, how about we treat you to some wine?â Cheng Yong said expectantly.
Although Zhou Shuâs status as a forging genius had yet to spread, it was no secret to some people.
Cheng Yong happened to be someone who knew about this.
The importance of weapons to martial artists was self-evident. Although Cheng Yong had yet to become a ranked martial artist, he was someone unwilling to be ordinary. He also hoped that he could become a ranked martial artist one day.
When he became a ranked martial artist, he would need a ranked weapon.
If he wanted a ranked weapon, he would have to ask a Forging Master.
Forging Masters were all high and mighty figures, and Cheng Yong didnât have the qualifications to get to know them yet. In front of him was someone who might become a Forging Master in the future. If Cheng Yong didnât befriend him, he would be a fool.
If he didnât become friends with Zhou Shu now, when he really became a Forging Master, he wouldnât even have the chance to.
âOf course. I donât mind!â Zhou Shu laughed. He was starving. How could he miss this opportunity?
âMaking an appointment is not as good as meeting by chance. I will be thick-skinned and bother you all.â
âSuperintendent Zhou, what are you saying? You are a rare and esteemed guest.â Cheng Yong was overjoyed and gave a signal to a soldier behind him. The soldier understood and quickly left.
âThis brotherâ¦â Zhou Shu said strangely.
âItâs fine. He has some matters to attend to at home. Heâll be back soon.â
Of course, he wouldnât tell Zhou Shu that the person had gone back to get the money.
Since he wanted to treat Zhou Shu to wine, he definitely couldnât go to a place that was too lousy.
They had just gotten off duty and didnât bring much money with them. Of course, they had to send someone back to get money.
âSuperintendent Zhou, you might not be familiar with the capital. Come, let me introduce you.â Cheng Yong warmly invited Zhou Shu.
In the distance, Xiao Zongshui and Zhen Cai had gloomy expressions.
Zhen Cai suppressed his anger and whispered, âSuperintendent Xiao, what do we do now?â
âNo rush,â Xiao Zongshui said coldly. âHe has the Huben Troops with him now, so itâs not convenient for us to make a move. If the Huben Troops get alerted, it will be troublesome.
âThe Huben Troops canât follow him forever. Weâll follow them first, and when the Huben Troops leave, weâll take action. When the time comes, weâll capture him and take revenge. Itâs fine as long as we donât kill him.â
Zhen Cai showed a cruel smile and laughed coldly.
â¦
âLieutenant Cheng, do you usually come here to drink after work?â Zhou Shu was somewhat dumbfounded at the scene in front of him.
Although the Huben Troops were imperial guards, they were only the outermost patrols. Were they so well paid?
âHow can that be?â Cheng Yong chuckled. âTo be honest with you, Superintendent Zhou, although our salary isnât low, we can only come to such places two or three times a year.
âHowever, weâre all very happy to meet you today. Letâs have a good time together. Superintendent Zhou, you donât have to worry about money. I still have some savings.â
The other Huben soldiers agreed. âYes, Superintendent Zhou, you just have to enjoy yourself. We have money.â
Zhou Shu was somewhat speechless.?I just have to enjoy myself?
Are you all serious?
He didnât expect that he was still thinking about whether he should come here to take a look nog long. In the end, he was brought here, and he didnât even need to spend his own money.
âWellâ¦â Zhou Shu laughed dryly. âWhy donât we go somewhere else? If weâre just drinking, thereâs no need to come here.â
He felt a little guilty about visiting a brothel.
He was a good young man in my previous lifeâ¦
âItâs the same drinking here.â Cheng Yong didnât give Zhou Shu a chance to refuse. The few of them put their hands around Zhou Shuâs shoulders and entered the brothel.
Although Cheng Yong and the others were wearing armor, no one stopped them. The brothel didnât care what the customers wore. After entering, they would take off all their clothes eventually anywayâ¦
Outside, Zhen Cai asked Xiao Zongshui, âSuperintendent Xiao, should we go in?â
Although his cultivation was higher than Xiao Zongshuiâs, his master had said that he had to follow Xiao Zongshuiâs orders.
Xiao Zongshuiâs face darkened as he cursed under his breath. If they went in, wouldnât they meet Zhou Shu?
âNo, wait here!â Xiao Zongshui said coldly.
In the bleak evening breeze, the two men hid in the shadows at the foot of a wall. From time to time, they would look at the entrance of the brothel. No matter how one looked at it, it seemed obsceneâ¦
Compared to Xiao Zongshui and Su Chen, Zhou Shu could feel the lively atmosphere as soon as he entered the brightly lit building.
In the middle of a spacious hall was a circular platform. On the platform, a woman was dancing.
The woman had an alluring figure and a gorgeous face. As she moved, her private parts were faintly discernible.
Zhou Shu felt his face heat up. He subconsciously rubbed his nose. If he had a nosebleed, it would be too embarrassing.
Although he had seen countless films in his previous life, this was the first time he had seen such a scene in real life.
This scene was much more exciting than watching movies.
Zhou Shu subconsciously took a few more glances.
The woman on stage was not extremely beautiful. At least, she was far inferior to Yin Wuyouâ¦
Wait, why did I think of comparing her to Yin Wuyou?
If Yin Wuyou knew I compared her with a brothel girl, would she chop me using her saber?
At the thought of this, Zhou Shu unconsciously shook his head.
Cheng Yong noticed Zhou Shuâs actions and thought that Zhou Shu didnât think much of the woman on the stage. He smiled and said, âThis woman is only average here. There are a lot of beautiful women here. I guarantee you wonât be disappointed.â
What else could Zhou Shu say?
Show me.
Zhou Shu was a virgin, but Cheng Yong and the others were all wily old foxes.
But their statuses werenât high, so they didnât have a private room. They found a table around the high platform, sat down, and ordered some dishes and wine.
Eating and drinking were secondary here.
âSuperintendent Zhou, if you like the woman on stage, you can just raise your card and bring her back to the roomâ¦â Cheng Yong explained softly.
âIâll just take a look first,â Zhou Shu said. He only had the intention to do so but not the courage to do so. Moreover, he felt that it would be a waste to have this first time hereâ¦
âUnderstood!â
Cheng Yong and the rest of the Huben Troops let out meaningful laughter. None of these women had caught Superintendent Zhouâs eyes yet, but it didnât matter.. There were still quite a few beautiful women here, but they might cost a bit more.