Chapter 48: Chapter 48: Crisis Lurks All Around on the Painted Boat

The lantern light on the boat moved across the river, casting a soft red glow that illuminated the dark Yu State River like a galaxy, with the small boat moving slowly amidst the bustling scene.

In the Red House houseboat, the sound of laughter continued nonstop but was now drawing to a close.

At this moment, Li Fuzhou’s face slightly reddened, sitting beside him were two delightful women, occasionally letting out bell-like giggles.

Zhou Xianming saw that Li Yue was preparing to leave after finishing her song, hurried forward, and said, “Miss Li Yue, the song you just played was truly delightful, if I’m not mistaken, it must be ‘Autumn Moon Over the Calm Lake’.”

Li Yue laughed softly and said, “Mr. Zhou is truly knowledgeable, it was indeed ‘Autumn Moon Over the Calm Lake.’ I fear I’ve embarrassed myself.”

“You must not say that.”

Zhou Xianming hurriedly said, “How can this be embarrassing? The song Miss Li Yue played sounds like the most beautiful music in the world to my ears, even the heavenly music of the Heavenly Palace could hardly compare.”

Zhou Xianming’s words were passionate and filled with righteous indignation, resonating deeply.

“Mr. Zhou, you flatter me too much.”

Li Yue bowed slightly, “Young Mister Ming Fei is still waiting for me, I must take my leave first.”

Zhou Xianming, upon hearing this, laughed and said, “It’s all right, it’s all right, I can wait here without any problems.”

Wait here!?

Hearing Zhou Xianming’s words, Li Yue’s smile stiffened, then she sighed and said, “You have really troubled yourself during this time, Mr. Zhou. You should know my situation; it’s best not to waste your time on me anymore.”

Originally, Li Yue was from a government-official family in Yujing City. Due to a case involving tax evasion in Yujing City, her family was raided, and she should have been sent to the Office of Music, but thanks to some connections, she ended up in a brothel instead of the Office, becoming a courtesan.

She came from a family of government officials and was a lady of eminent standing with a striking appearance, so the price for redeeming her was extremely high and required approval from higher-ups. Over the years, many have attempted to redeem her, but ultimately, no one fulfilled the promise.

This was something that everyone knew.

Miss Li Yue must be worried that I cannot bear the pressure of the imperial examination and is advising me to give up.

But I, Zhou Xianming, will definitely not give up.

Zhou Xianming’s heart warmed, “Miss Li Yue, rest assured, I will not let you down. Please go to Young Mister Ming Fei first, I will wait here for a while.”

“Alright… alright then, Mr. Zhou, perhaps have a few drinks first, I will be back soon.”

Li Yue offered an apologetic smile, then bowed and left as if escaping.

Li Fuzhou glanced at the departing figure of Li Yue, continuing to chat up the women beside him without a change in expression.

Wind and Rain Tower, to think that a top assassin was hiding among the houseboats, how intriguing.

Others did not recognize Li Yue’s identity, but Li Fuzhou, the leader of the Demon Sect, saw through the Oiran’s identity.

Wind and Rain Tower top assassin.

Top assassins from Wind and Rain Tower are exceedingly rare, and they are figures who strike terror in Jianghu, yet now one covertly resides in Yu State City as an Oiran, hinting at an underlying scheme.

But in this vast Jianghu, who doesn’t have their own schemes?

However, Li Fuzhou was here to seek pleasure, not to investigate the top assassin from Wind and Rain Tower.

Zhou Xianming absent-mindedly watched Li Yue’s receding figure.

“Xianming, come have a drink,” Li Fuzhou called out.

“Okay.”

Zhou Xianming sat down and muttered, “After I finish this pot of wine, Miss Li Yue should be coming out.”

Li Fuzhou said irritably, “Why worry about one flower when the world is full of them?”

Zhou Xianming poured and drank on his own, “Mr. Li, to me, it’s like the endless waters of the weak river, yet I choose to drink from only this ladle.”

Li Fuzhou, upon hearing this, was suddenly at a loss for words. Usually, when he taught someone a lesson, most people didn’t dare to respond, some didn’t know how to refute, but only the useless An Jing and the current Zhou Xianming left him speechless.

Half an hour later.

Li Fuzhou looked at the listless Zhou Xianming and shook his head, “Your wine is finished, yet she has not come out.”

In that half an hour, Zhou Xianming drank pot after pot, enough to amaze even a seasoned wanderer like Li Fuzhou.

“I… I must not have drunk enough,” Zhou Xianming’s face was flushed, and several empty wine pots were already on the table.

Li Fuzhou: “…..”

The surrounding courtesans: “…”

“Hmm?!”

Li Fuzhou’s brows furrowed as he sensed a slight fluctuation in the water. He gently tapped the table with his fingers, “It seems there are experts fiercely battling.”

……

The night was waning, but the Yu State River remained bustling.

Jiang Sanjia sat cross-legged on the cushion, his hands positioned in front of his navel, circulating the Ghost Valley Heart Method repeatedly through numerous cycles.

Suddenly, he felt a tremor in his heart, as if a crisis was looming over him.

Then, he slowly opened his eyes and looked outside the painting boat.

Songs and dances flourished, red lanterns reflected on the glistening waves of the Yu State River, exuding tranquility.

“Mu Xiaoyun, Mu Xiaoyun….”

Jiang Sanjia turned and called out.

“What’s the matter?” asked Mu Xiaoyun, pulling apart the door curtain with a frown.

“I feel something is wrong,” Jiang Sanjia said, taking a deep breath.

“What’s wrong?” Mu Xiaoyun inquired.

“Look around you, it’s too peaceful.”

Jiang Sanjia pointed around.

Hearing this, Mu Xiaoyun looked around, then suddenly noticed ripples forming on the surface of the water.

In the silent night, because the painting boat was some distance away from the lively area, the water was pitch black, obscuring any view and making it feel like they were in a world of darkness.

“Not good!”

Mu Xiaoyun’s pupils shrank sharply.

Just then, dozens of arrows swiftly flew toward them from a distance.

“Clack, clack, clack, clack!”

Some arrows plunged into the water, while several others shot directly into the cabin, piercing through it fiercely.

Jiang Sanjia waved his sleeve, and the inner strength covered sleeve swept up a gale to shock all the flying arrows back.

Mu Xiaoyun’s face suddenly changed and he shouted in a low voice, “People from Cao Gang.”

Following that, arrows came at them like a storm, and the painting boat resembled a small ship in the wind and rain, with countless arrows sweeping over it, turning it into a porcupine.

The entire surface of the river was covered with ripples and waves.

Mu Xiaoyun and Jiang Sanjia, both Second Grade Cultivators, naturally were not harmed by the arrows and managed to block them instantly.

After a while, the rain of arrows stopped, and all was silent again.

“Madam, the gang leader has sent an invitation.”

Just then, a chilling voice sounded.

Standing on the water surface appeared an eerily pale Scholar, resembling the drowned water monkey from folk rumors, with eyes full of gloom and dreariness.

The newcomer was none other than the Poison Master, Guo Yuchun.

Seeing him, Jiang Sanjia’s heart immediately sank and he looked to the side.

If Guo Yuchun was there, it was unlikely he was the only one present.

“Is this how you treat this lady?”

Mu Xiaoyun’s brows tightened as she coldly snapped.

Guo Yuchun, with a bow and a cold smile, said, “This intrusion is regrettable, madam, I beg your indulgence, and I hope you will not make it difficult for us.”

Although his words suggested an apology, his eyes carried an intense threat.

“Good, good, making it difficult for a subordinate,”

Mu Xiaoyun’s eyes narrowed into slits, “If I refuse to go back, would you shoot more arrows, commit more offenses?”

“What do you think, madam?”

Guo Yuchun’s gloomy face curled into a smirk, his piercing gaze filled with brutality, and the murderous intent in his dark pupils seemed to be capable of consigning one to death.