Chapter 10: The Enchantress Before the Myriad Treasures Pavilion

As the leader of the Netherworld Sect, Gao Wu still had to learn about the sect's history from Li Xingqu. There was no other way; the memories from his predecessor were severely lost, and information about the Netherworld Sect seemed sealed away, leaving Gao Wu with nothing inherited.

The head of the Mysterious Netherworld Sect, Emperor Zhu Yougui, had been a top martial artist on the human rankings ten years ago and was naturally well-versed in the Netherworld Sect. His impersonation of the sect’s leader made sense in this context.

Among the Three Kings was Zhu Wen; who were the other two? Gao Wu wanted to ask but feared arousing Li Xingqu’s suspicions by probing too much, so he resolved to investigate the previous Netherworld Sect leadership another time.

For now, the most pressing matter was the treasure of the Duke of Tang’s mansion—especially the thousand-year Fire Spirit Lingzhi mushroom.

Zhang Zifan showed no interest in the Mysterious or Netherworld Sects and simply asked, “I’m planning to explore the Ghost Market. Would you be willing to come along?”

He glanced at the two ladies present—both beautiful and capable. As for Gao Wu... well, better not mention him. Ji Ruxue was icy and aloof, while Liu Yifei followed Gao Wu’s lead, and they had already been to the black market.

Surprisingly, neither woman responded to Zhang Zifan’s invitation, leaving him standing awkwardly.

Fortunately, Gao Wu’s kind heart saved the moment. “The key now is Wen Tao. He’s a traitor to the Scoundrels, familiar with Kaifeng City, and skilled at hiding his tracks. Finding him will be very difficult.”

“Could he be in the Ghost Market?”

“No. Since everyone knows the Mysterious Netherworld Sect is hidden in the Ghost Market, Wen Tao wouldn’t be hiding in the same place.”

“In any case, we must first go to the Ghost Market and find someone from the Mysterious Netherworld Sect!”

Zhang Zifan insisted on going, and Gao Wu no longer tried to dissuade him. After all, he wouldn’t reveal to everyone present that he had already been there.

“By the way, Young Hero Gao, can you now tell us what Wang Changfeng said to you before he died at the Yuelai Tavern?”

Zhang Zifan was truly cunning. Speaking openly in front of Li Xingyun forced Gao Wu to stop hiding the truth.

Ji Ruxue’s cold gaze shifted to Gao Wu, curious.

Li Xingyun smiled knowingly, as if he grasped the entire situation.

“Ahem. Wang Changfeng did say he knew where the Dragon Abyss Map was, but I was desperate to save my own life and didn’t hear him out before killing him. So I have no idea what else he wanted to say.”

“How could Wang Changfeng have known where the Dragon Abyss Map was?”

“That day, the ambush at Yuelai Tavern was set by the Sun Moon Divine Sect. Since they planned ahead to trap Wang Changfeng, his words must have been true.”

“Hmph, the Sun Moon Divine Sect causing chaos in Bianzhou?”

The Sun Moon Divine Sect was a top faction from Yunzhou, under the jurisdiction of the Ming Duke. As the Duke’s heir, Li Xingyun was particularly sensitive to territorial disputes.

Ji Ruxue suddenly spoke, “Those Sun Moon Divine Sect members were only at the Martial Movement Realm.”

After some thought, the group understood Ji Ruxue’s implication: the information might have been secondhand or unreliable.

Ultimately, they decided to split up.

Zhang Zifan would head to the Ghost Market to find the Mysterious Netherworld Sect; Ji Ruxue would return to the Kaifeng branch of the Phantom Sound Workshop to search for Wen Tao’s whereabouts; Gao Wu and Liu Yifei would investigate news about the treasures in the market.

Li Xingyun continued directing the Scoundrels, sealing the city while searching for Wen Tao.

“Young master! Why must we cooperate with these young punks?”

Li Xingyun rolled his eyes. “I’m a young punk too!”

Shangguan Yunque quickly apologized, “Ah, young master, that’s not what we meant!”

The coquettish tone made Li Xingyun’s hair stand on end. “This is the Marshal’s arrangement. We obey orders.”

Meanwhile, Gao Wu and Liu Yifei began their stroll through the ancient marketplace. The old streets held a unique charm—conservative yet lively, revealing only what was appropriate and concealing what was not.

The Great Zhou Empire revered martial arts, and practicing combat was the fashion. Confucian decorum was less strict, and the streets teemed with young women and matrons alike, their vivacity rivaling that of modern times.

“Gao Wu? Great Sect Leader! Are they beautiful?”

“Ah, each has their own charm, a unique flavor,” Gao Wu replied casually as he compared the women of past and present.

“Hiss…”

“Hey, why are you pinching me?”

“Not only pinching you, but if you keep staring, I might have to cut you!”

Under Liu Yifei’s fierce glare, Gao Wu reluctantly withdrew his gaze to focus on the scenery ahead.

Dressed in ancient attire, Liu Yifei’s flowing robes fluttered like dancing petals in the breeze. Beneath her delicate nose, her red lips parted slightly, and her slender, arched eyebrows lent an air of spirited elegance to her face.

A celestial lady indeed, forever exuding an ethereal aura.

“Had enough to look at?” Liu Yifei snapped through gritted teeth.

Their playful banter led them to a pavilion with a golden signboard reading “Myriad Treasures Pavilion.”

“This Myriad Treasures Pavilion is extravagant. Each golden character on the sign is worth a fortune!”

“Haha, when we’re short on money, we could sneak out under cover of darkness and chip off a piece. That’d keep us fed for a while!”

The two women speaking were strikingly different: one tall and robust, towering over Gao Wu; the other frail and slender, barely reaching five foot three.

Gao Wu immediately recognized them as the sisters known as Nation’s Beauty and City’s Charm.

“Wow, isn’t that the heroic sisters Nation’s Beauty and City’s Charm?”

“Huh, our reputation has spread so far that even lowly punks know us!”

“Sis, although this guy isn’t handsome, he’s quite dashing. Should we claim him?”

“No way! We agreed: no marrying for anyone but a true handsome man. We can’t just settle!”

Gao Wu listened, utterly speechless, while Liu Yifei was utterly baffled.

Though not a classic handsome man, Gao Wu was tall, broad-shouldered, and sturdy with a bronzed complexion. His demeanor, shaped by experiences from another era, was imposing and dignified.

Yet the sisters dismissed him as an unworthy specimen of masculinity.

Luckily, Gao Wu knew their straightforward, blunt nature—they never mincemeated words and openly expressed their thoughts and feelings.

“Are you two heading into the Myriad Treasures Pavilion? Shall we go together?”

“Sure, let’s go!” Nation’s Beauty’s voice boomed like a bell.

The Myriad Treasures Pavilion was lavish on the outside and vast inside, filled with displays and transactions of treasures, weapons, and other precious items.

As they walked through, they saw countless rare and priceless artifacts, including some linked to martial arts manuals and mysterious powers. Notably, a Dragon Abyss Map had once appeared here, cementing the pavilion’s fame throughout the Great Zhou.

“What treasure does this young master seek?”

“The Thousand-Year Spirit Lingzhi.”