socalfunplaces Chapter 57 Murong of Gusu Shocks Four Seats
Chapter 57 Murong of Gusu Shocks Four Seats
Chapter 57 Murong of Gusu Shocks Everyone
"Ancient Sword Soul? What's he doing here?"
"I don't know. According to rumors in the martial arts world, Gu Jianhun was obsessed with martial arts and studied various schools of thought. However, he preferred fist and foot techniques and practiced swordsmanship, but he didn't study knife techniques much."
Yang Yan frowned slightly: "A martial artist using an unsuitable weapon, even a divine weapon, will lower their strength. The Ancient Sword Soul—it's sinister!"
Xu Qingya laughed and said, "Let's wait and see! The Dragon-Slaying Saber belongs to Hua Baifeng. If trouble arises, Hua Baifeng will be the first to worry. Let's just watch the show."
"That's true, please, Young Master Xiao!"
Yang Yan took Xu Qingya's arm and headed to the auction in the backyard. All of the Hua family's shops contained the character "flower," and Hua Baifeng's pawnshop was named "Flower Vine."
The main entrance is a pawnshop, where they do legitimate business.
The back shows an auction house, which operates in both the legitimate and criminal worlds.
When a pawnshop opens, it needs to demonstrate its strength in three aspects: financial resources, discerning eye, and historical background.
Holding an auction is the most convenient way.
Hua Baifeng clearly wanted to do business for the long term, so he bought a brothel to turn into an auction house. The platform square, originally used for performing songs and dances, was used to display auction items.
The warm pavilions, private rooms, elegant rooms, open seating, singing and dancing, chefs, maids, and waiters are all readily available, requiring neither decoration nor training of staff.
Those with money, power, and strength go to the top-floor penthouse.
Those who have no money or power but want to snag a bargain can sit in the lobby.
The courtesan is responsible for the opening performance and creating a lively atmosphere.
The waiter, with a towel draped over his arm and a long-spouted copper kettle in hand, poured tea for the scattered guests. Several storytellers were also there, responsible for praising the treasures and stirring up the guests' emotions.
Originally a place for seeking pleasure and entertainment, Hua Baifeng's transformation has given it a touch of elegance.
Xu Qingya had long yearned for the "auction".
What is an auction?
A place of extraordinary adventure, a must-see for any protagonist!
Each protagonist can encounter the secret manuals, treasures, and elixirs they need at the auction, and can either buy them directly or "accidentally" kill and rob them.
Liu Qingci and Qin Nanqin were in the top-floor private box.
Beitang Xin'er hid in the scattered seats downstairs.
Yin Susu, using the banner of the Sky Eagle Sect, displayed an attitude of being determined to win, and booked three private rooms.
Xu Qingya and Yang Yan, dressed in easily recognizable vests, entered the warm pavilion downstairs from Liu Qingci.
Su Mengzhen and Lei Sun did not come.
Yang Wuxie, Di Feijing, Cao Yu, and Gu Jianhun each had a private room. Each room had a small window on the side, and all the windows faced the central platform plaza. Yang Yan stood by the window, counting and analyzing the origins of these guests.
The exterior of this brothel resembles a fortified village built by some clans during times of war. From the outside, it is an exquisite and beautiful flower house, but from the inside, it has a cylindrical shape and looks like a large chimney.
Each warm chamber was equipped with maids and servants who waited outside the door. They would never enter unless given an order. In terms of "following the rules," they were more obedient and cautious than the palace maids and eunuchs.
"Yan'er, stop analyzing! Masters don't reveal themselves easily. Those who are hiding secrets definitely won't make the first move. If I'm not mistaken, there won't be any fighting before the Dragon Slayer Saber appears."
"Preparation is the key to success, and lack of preparation leads to failure. The more intelligence we gather, the greater our chances of victory!"
"Is there anyone strange?"
"Hiss... There really is a weirdo!"
"Who?"
"Murong Fu of Yanziwu in Gusu!"
"To use their own methods against them?"
"I heard that he was a descendant of the Xianbei royal family, a descendant of Tan Shihuai. After Tan Shihuai died, the Xianbei split into many forces, one of which changed its surname to Murong."
The Murong clan produced outstanding figures such as Murong Chui, Murong Huang, and Murong Longcheng, and once gathered a considerable force in the north. Later, they were defeated by the Han Dynasty, and the members of the Murong clan went their separate ways, with most settling in the Central Plains.
Today, there are three major branches: the Murong Clan of Gusu, the Murong Clan of Jinling, and the Murong Clan of Qixingtang. They are revered as one of the six great families in the martial arts world. In reality, although the three families all share the surname Murong, they each have their own hidden agendas.
The Murong family of Jinling loved doing business, and each generation could produce eight or nine daughters. Most of these daughters were gentle, beautiful, and talented, becoming the targets of pursuit by various martial arts families, who built networks of relationships through "marriage alliances".
The Murong family of Qixingtang gradually transformed from a martial arts clan into a powerful gang, becoming a formidable force on the water. It is said that they also have some underworld connections, making their potential unfathomable.
The Murong family of Gusu is the most peculiar. They claim to be the legitimate successors of the Murong family, but they usually keep to themselves and rarely communicate with outsiders. For several generations, they have been a single line of successors. They neither do business, nor take the imperial examinations, nor do they open martial arts schools to take on disciples. No one knows what they want to do.
In previous years, there were rumors that the Murong clan of Gusu harbored rebellious intentions and hoped to rebuild the Xianbei royal court.
How is that possible?
With no money, no power, no influence, no allies, and even his son being the only heir in the family, what could he possibly use to rebel?
Murong Fu may have heard these rumors. In order to show the court that he posed no threat, he always went out with Bao Butong and Feng Bo'e, two troublemakers. He had been wandering the martial arts world for five or six years and didn't have a single friend.
At this point, Yang Yan was speechless.
Anyone with a sound mind would think that the idea of Murong of Gusu rebelling was a malicious frame-up.
Dou E was not wronged by Murong Fu!
Murong Fu had neither soldiers nor money or provisions. He only had two maids and four retainers. Two of the retainers were professional hindrances: one was outspoken and offended people with his words, and the other was always looking for trouble and fighting.
Murong Fu had been wandering the martial arts world for years, and he had no close friends, let alone any true confidants, not even drinking buddies!
I wanted to make friends, and as soon as I showed friendliness, I was either scolded away by Bao Butong or driven away by Feng Bo'e. I ended up with no friends and a lot of grudges.
The Six Doors and the Embroidered Uniform Guard originally wanted to send people to investigate Murong Fu of Gusu. After reading Murong Fu's file, they all said that this kid was too hard-pressed. "You say Murong Fu wants to rebel, do you have any evidence? Do you think I'm stupid?"
If someone were to say that Murong of Jinling and Murong of Qixingtang were plotting a rebellion, the Six Doors might believe it, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard might investigate. If they were to say that Murong of Gusu wanted to rebel, the Six Doors would simply beat him out with sticks as soon as they saw the complaint!
The methods used to frame someone are too low-level!
You are insulting my intelligence!
Yang Yan analyzed, "Murong Fu probably realized that the other two families are thriving, and in a few years, the Murong family of Gusu might become a branch, or even be eliminated. In order to promote his reputation, he must do some big things!"
Xu Qingya reached out and hugged Yang Yan, saying gently, "Don't analyze these things! My Yan'er isn't just a pretty face; she's my capable helper!"
Xu Qingya realized Yang Yan's thoughts.
Liu Qingci has power, Yin Susu has money, and Beitang Xin'er is pure and lovely; they are all good matches. Relatively speaking, Yang Yan is the one who should be taken care of the most.
Yang Yan was worried about being underestimated, so she had been working hard to analyze intelligence and prove herself these past few days, which made her very tired. Xu Qingya would not let his beauty suffer from mental exhaustion, so he resolved the conflict in advance.
Holding Yang Yan in his left arm, he smoothly moved his right hand downwards, flicking his fingertips to remove Yang Yan's shoes.
Yang Yan's cheeks flushed, and she murmured, "What kind of hobby is this? What—do you want to do?"
"I want you to give me a massage."
As they spoke, Xu Qingya flicked his fingers and removed Yang Yan's shoes and socks, holding her jade-like feet in his palm. He gently caressed Yang Yan's smooth and delicate ankles, feeling the warm touch on his fingertips, and exhaled a breath of hot air.
The hot air blew in Yang Yan's ears, and Yang Yan had no strength left. But she saw Xu Qingya lying on the soft couch, pointing to his back, indicating that Yang Yan should come up and step on his back.
Yang Yan blushed, got up, grabbed the crossbar on the soft couch, and used her bare feet to massage the acupoints on Xu Qingya's back to soothe his blood and qi.
"The private room on the left is for Susu, the one upstairs is for Qingci, and Xin'er, look over here from downstairs!"
"Stop—stop talking—stop—"
Worried about being embarrassed to death later, Yang Yan added a little more pressure with her toes. Xu Qingya squinted his eyes and quietly enjoyed the massage, feeling like his bones were about to fall apart.
About half an hour later, everyone who was supposed to arrive had arrived. The warm-up performance was over, and Hua Baifeng personally acted as the host, bringing out an item for auction!
"Heroes, valiant warriors, I have established my family and business in the capital, and I would be grateful for your support. Therefore, I have prepared a few treasures for you to appreciate."
Before the words were finished, a sarcastic voice came from the private room on the second floor: "Not at all! How can the word 'hero' be casually assigned? The people here are either gang leaders or wandering swordsmen, there are rich scions who indulge in debauchery, and there are even a few eunuchs!"
What kind of heroes are they?
I wonder which of you thinks you're a hero?
"Step forward and tell everyone, what heroic deeds have you committed? Have you indiscriminately killed innocent people or confiscated their property and exterminated their entire families? You may be quite beautiful, but to compare my young master with these people is something Master Bao will never allow!"
Before Bao Butong could finish speaking, Feng Bo'e chimed in, "My young master is a man of both literary and martial talents, yet he dares not call himself a hero. What kind of heroes are you? If any of you disagree, Fourth Master Feng is here waiting for you!"
Their words could be described as "bold and ambitious".
Fortunately, this was the capital city, and Huang Chang had just revealed his supreme Grandmaster level of cultivation. These experts did not retaliate, but only exchanged verbal sparring with him.
Yang Wuxie lightly shook his folding fan and chuckled, "I've long heard of the Murong family of Gusu's unique skill of using their own methods against them. Seeing it today, I can see it truly lives up to its reputation. Mr. Bao, with just a few words, demonstrated to all the heroes in this hall the Murong family's skill in disciplining their servants. You're truly remarkable!"
At this point, Yang Wuxie lowered his voice, but made sure everyone could hear: "I've heard that Young Master Murong even cuts back on his personal servant's pay to save money. Such meticulousness and skill in managing a household—no wonder he's able to maintain his position among the six great families! I can't help but admire him!"
Di Fei gently stroked the teacup, speaking softly and gently.
"Young Master Murong is a descendant of the Xianbei nobility, so his servants are naturally different from ordinary people. Mr. Bao's barking at everyone he sees reminds me of the mastiffs that were presented as tribute from the Western Regions. If the chain is loose, they will often disturb the guests."
only----"
Di Feijing's voice grew even gentler, but what he said sent chills down one's spine: "If the master is so poor that he doesn't even have enough money to buy meat bones, he might as well stew this fierce dog to serve to his guests. That would be making the best use of it."
Yin Susu scoffed and tossed a gold ingot into the maid's tray. The crisp sound of the gold hitting the tray could be heard in half of the private rooms.
"Go and send a plate of melon seeds to Young Master Murong. I noticed his private room is even empty of fruit plates; he probably used the spare change he'd given to his servants to pay for the room!"
Not satisfied, Yin Susu stood up and sneered at Murong Fu's private room: "I wonder what kind of business Murong Fu of Gusu does? What kind of income does he have? How many days will the dowry brought by Madam Wang be enough for you to save face? Don't be like those penniless wretches who pawned their ancestral jade pendant just to afford a seat today! That would be a laughing stock!"
Upon hearing this, Murong Fu turned pale.
Murong is so obsessed with rebellion that he has squandered his family's wealth. The money he is spending now is all from the dowry of Murong Fu's mother, Wang. The Wang family is a well-known wealthy family in Suzhou, and Madam Wang's dowry was very generous. But no matter how generous it was, it couldn't support such extravagance.
Unfortunately, Murong Bo left him with Bao Butong and Feng Bo'e, two brilliant strategists, so Murong Fu's plan to open a shop and do business would likely be thwarted on opening day.
Thinking of this, Murong Fu became even more melancholy.
Dad, you've really screwed me over!
Bao Butong was about to start cursing when Feng Bo'e's right hand had already gripped the knife handle. Just then, Gongye Qian and Deng Baichuan rushed up, one covering the mouth and the other grabbing the arm, holding the two of them tightly, thus bringing the situation under control.
Of the four retainers, at least two are reliable!
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