Nine Nether Dragon Emperor-Chapter 33: Big Brother, Why Did You Only Come Now!
Ning Xuan gently pushed Meng Luo aside and turned to face the madam. "What kind of explanation do you want?"
He spared a glance for the tower of a man standing nearby but paid him no further mind.
"Naturally, to capture you and wait for the Chen Family. If you can handle them, my Wonderful Music Brothel would be more than happy to continue doing business with you, Young Master." The madam’s expression shifted in an instant, a broad smile replacing her stern look as if she were a different person entirely.
Ning Xuan nodded, and a box immediately appeared in the room. He casually flipped it open. "I’m one who always repays kindness. Thank you for taking care of Sister Meng Luo all these years."
The madam’s eyes narrowed. "It was you!"
"Yes, it was me," Ning Xuan confirmed.
"I wouldn’t dare accept Element Crystals from the Eternal Joy Gambling House. Besides, it has been the Si Family’s young miss who has been looking after Meng Luo all these years. If you want to give them to anyone, give them to her."
Ning Xuan didn’t argue. He nodded and put the Element Crystals away, then took Meng Luo’s hand to leave.
"Wait!" the madam called out, stopping them to place a light, veiled cloak over Meng Luo.
"Thank you, Aunt Xin," Meng Luo said gratefully, having finally come back to her senses.
Ning Xuan also offered his thanks before they departed.
The silent giant finally spoke, his voice a low rumble. "Big Sister, why did you let him go? I could have taken him!"
The madam’s expression was grave. "He saw your weakness. If he had actually attacked, your death would have been certain."
The giant snorted. "Impossible! My..."
The madam shot him a look. "You don’t believe me? He hasn’t gone far. You’re welcome to go and test that theory."
The giant’s face flushed red, but he ultimately slumped in defeat. After all, Big Sister had never been wrong. He certainly didn’t want to end up like Chen Xin out front.
"Take care of the body," the madam instructed.
The giant was stunned. "Without notifying the Chen Family?"
The madam smiled. "Consider it a gesture of goodwill."
On the main street, Meng Luo followed Ning Xuan like a timid young bride.
"Sister Meng Luo," Ning Xuan asked, "you know the way to the Si Family estate, right?"
"I do. I’ll lead the way." Meng Luo nodded and walked ahead, but she kept turning her head to look back at him.
Ning Xuan smiled. "What, afraid I’m an imposter?"
Meng Luo’s own smile was radiant. "You little rascal. No one could possibly impersonate you."
Ning Xuan scratched his head, smiling sheepishly. The estrangement that had formed between them over the years vanished in an instant, and their steps became much lighter.
「Half an hour later.」
"Young Master, once we cross the bridge ahead and walk for about another half an hour, we’ll reach..." Meng Luo trailed off. By the arch bridge up ahead, a contingent of heavily armed guards stood watch.
Seeing Meng Luo slow down, Ning Xuan grabbed her hand and pulled her forward toward the bridge.
"This road is closed!" Two long spears crossed in front of them, blocking their path.
"Guardsmen, please let us pass." Ning Xuan smiled, discreetly slipping an Element Crystal into one of the guard’s hands.
The man was still hesitating when a cold snort echoed from above, startling him into standing ramrod straight.
On the arch bridge, an armored commander appeared, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. He looked down on them, his gaze cold and sharp.
"Take off the cloak." His eyes swept past Ning Xuan and fixed on Meng Luo with an air that brooked no argument.
Meng Luo complied.
A lecherous gleam flashed in the commander’s eyes. "Well, if it isn’t Miss Meng Luo," he asked condescendingly. "And what are you doing with a man?"
"He’s from the Si household, here to invite me for a meal," Meng Luo interjected quickly.
The commander’s gaze fell to their clasped hands. He scoffed, "Miss Meng Luo, do you take me for a fool?"
"How do we get past?" Ning Xuan asked.
The commander glanced at Meng Luo, hesitated for a second, then hardened his tone. "You don’t! The City Lord has placed the entire city under martial law!"
Ning Xuan’s gaze flickered to the surrounding soldiers, but the commander’s perception was shockingly keen.
"What? Thinking of trying something? Seize him!" he ordered, moving to strike first.
But Ning Xuan moved. His body vanished on the spot.
"Nobody move!"
Before anyone could react, Ning Xuan was on the arch bridge, holding a sword to the commander’s neck. It was the commander’s own.
"Don’t move! Sir, let’s talk this over!" the commander blurted out, utterly terrified. The man was too fast.
"Are there more of your men on the road to the Si Family estate?" Ning Xuan asked.
"No, no more! It’s just us!"
"Sister Meng Luo, you go on ahead."
Meng Luo didn’t hesitate, quickly hurrying away.
"Who are you looking for?" Ning Xuan asked.
"A young swordsman. His sword is..." The commander paused, then said, "It’s a Soft Sword."
Ning Xuan glanced in the direction Meng Luo had disappeared and smiled. "Actually, any sword that can kill is a good sword."
The commander’s eyes went wide as Ning Xuan drew the sword across his throat. Before the other soldiers could even lunge with their spears, Ning Xuan moved again. Moments later, only corpses remained. He tossed the sword aside and walked away.
Meng Luo emerged from the shadows of a corner to meet him. "Young Master, are we still going to the Si Family?"
Just as Ning Xuan was about to answer, his gaze locked onto something nearby. Meng Luo followed his line of sight and saw Si Lanyi stepping out from the shadows. She flushed with embarrassment. "Sister Si..."
"Oh, Meng Luo. Find yourself a Young Master and you forget all about your sisters. I had plans to have dinner with him, you know. Right, Ning Xuan?" Si Lanyi teased, winking at him.
Ning Xuan sighed. "The Eternal Joy Gambling House, the Brotherhood, the Liu Family, the Chen Family, the City Lord Manor... I seem to have offended quite a few people."
Meng Luo’s eyes widened, her mind reeling.
Si Lanyi was still smiling. "You can cross the Brotherhood and the Chen Family off that list. Just add the Fiery Sun Sect, and that should be about right."
Ning Xuan looked at her, confused.
"If I’m not mistaken, the Wonderful Music Brothel will cover for you with the Chen Family, and the leader of the Brotherhood is always cautious. It’s different for the disciples of the Fiery Sun Sect, though. Anyone with a bit of backing has a Soul Lamp, and the person you killed outside the city was clearly one of them."
"But you have your clan to think of," Ning Xuan said, looking at her seriously.
Si Lanyi walked over and linked her arm through his with a playful smile. "That’s why I found us some help."
Ning Xuan’s confusion was cleared up the moment he stepped into the Si Family estate.
He saw Old Wang.
"Brother! What took you so long? I’ve been waiting all day! Come, come, drink with me!" Old Wang slurred, beckoning to Ning Xuan with bleary eyes.
Meng Luo stared, turning to Si Lanyi in disbelief. This old man is already talking nonsense. What kind of help could he possibly be?
"You still don’t know how capable your Young Master is, do you..." Si Lanyi whispered in Meng Luo’s ear.
Surprised, Meng Luo looked at Ning Xuan, her eyes filling with relief and admiration.
Meanwhile, their enemies arrived much faster than Ning Xuan had anticipated. They had barely finished three rounds of wine when the front of the Si Family estate became a blaze of torchlight, filled with a clamorous uproar.
"Si Yunshen, hand the man over now, or we will level your Si Family!" a voice thundered through the night.
A lazy voice drifted from deep within the estate. "I have already passed my position to my daughter, Lanyi. If you have business, take it up with her."
"You passed the clan to Si Lanyi? She crippled her own Cultivation six years ago! It seems the Si Family is fated to be wiped from Destiny City tonight!"
Silence was the only reply from Si Yunshen.
In the front courtyard, just a wall away from the main gate, Si Lanyi watched Ning Xuan with a cheerful smile.
Ning Xuan, his disguise now gone, rose to his feet and opened the gate.
