Chapter 995: Taking You Out

Editor: Henyee Translations

“This way, please,” the attendant led Ceng Huo to a particularly busy gambling table. Ceng Huo was there to gather information and wasn’t really interested in gambling, so he casually tossed a few copper coins onto the table.

“Big, big, big—”

“Small, small, small—”

Everyone was intently watching the dice cup, hoping for a win. Their expressions were exaggerated, almost comical.

Noticing Ceng Huo’s guarded demeanor, the attendant didn’t bother him much, thinking to fleece him once he got hooked.

Standing at the table, Ceng Huo made small bets while observing his surroundings. With his small wagers, he soon went unnoticed as the crowd focused on the high rollers.

At first, nothing unusual caught his attention at the gambling den. However, Ceng Huo soon spotted something odd.

The den had private rooms where wealthy patrons gambled. While the main hall was rife with smoke and noise, something strange was happening: these patrons entered looking depleted but left invigorated, a clear sign of foul play.

After pondering for a moment, Ceng Huo grabbed a passing attendant and pointed at the patrons, saying, “I want to gamble like them.”

The attendant rubbed his fingers together, signaling the need for money.

Ceng Huo handed over a silver coin, finding an opportunist. “Tell me what’s going on.”

The attendant led Ceng Huo aside, looked around warily, and whispered, “They’re not here to gamble. They’re here to enjoy. If you’ve got the money, you can enjoy it too.”

Curious, Ceng Huo asked, “What kind of enjoyment?”

The attendant’s expression turned sleazy yet wistful, “There are girls, that stuff to smoke, and even music to listen to. It’s truly a paradise on earth.”

A paradise on earth? More like hell, thought Ceng Huo. He pulled out a banknote, “Lead the way.”

The attendant’s eyes gleamed at the sight of the banknote, his attitude becoming even more obsequious. “Right this way, sir.”

He took Ceng Huo to see the manager in charge of these special services, “This gentleman wishes to experience heaven on earth.”

The manager sized up Ceng Huo and said, “Money.”

Ceng Huo handed over the banknote, “Is this enough?”

“More than enough,” the manager said, dropping his haughty attitude. He bent forward obsequiously, “Right this way, sir. Would you prefer a room for four or a private one?”

Thinking it over, Ceng Huo replied, “Make it a room for four. More people, more fun. I’m someone who enjoys company.”

“Very good, sir,” the manager led Ceng Huo through a hallway to a back courtyard, arriving at a room filled with music, “Please, sir.”

As Ceng Huo surveyed his surroundings, he noted to himself how well the gambling den conducted its business. They had cleverly connected the back courtyard with the neighboring building through a corridor, managing both gambling and the opium trade discreetly, all within a decent setting.

He looked around and then entered the room.

The room already had three people, with one spot open, separated by privacy screens so that each party remained undisturbed.

The manager showed Ceng Huo to the vacant spot, “Sir, how much would you like?”

“Just make the arrangements,” Ceng Huo said, playing the part of a naive customer to lower their guard.

As the manager left to prepare, Ceng Huo began inquiring about the situation from the other guests.

Meanwhile, Chu Qingzhi was conducting a thorough search across the city and finally made some headway.

Under the night sky, Chu Qingzhi stood atop a tree, staring grimly at the brightly lit the king’s mansion. Where better to hide a person than in a king’s mansion?

After watching for a while, she transformed into the guise of the mansion’s steward and walked inside, wandering through the premises.

A passing maid glanced back at the steward, murmuring in confusion, “Eh? I thought I just saw the steward. How come I see him again?”

Her words reached Chu Qingzhi’s ears perfectly. Pausing, Chu Qingzhi swiftly moved and appeared before the maid in the next second.

Startled, the maid fainted.

Chu Qingzhi shrugged, “Not my fault. I didn’t even touch her.” She then quickly moved on, heading deeper into the mansion.

After a thorough search, Chu Qingzhi finally found Chu Qingning.

She pushed open the door and called out softly to the figure by the window, “Fourth sister.”

Chu Qingning didn’t move, as if she’d heard a hallucination. Unsure of her location, she couldn’t believe her distant sister could find her.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Smiling, Chu Qingzhi approached, “Aren’t you going to recognize me, Fourth Sister?”

Startled, Chu Qingning turned sharply, “Fifth Sister!” She embraced Chu Qingzhi tightly. “It really is you. I’m so glad, I thought I’d never see you again.”

“It’s me. Everything’s alright now. I’m here to save you,” Chu Qingzhi reassured her with a gentle smile.

Relieved, Chu Qingning released Chu Qingzhi and quickly shut the window. Pulling her to the bed, she whispered urgently, “Do you know where we are?”

“We’re in the eastern border king’s mansion,” Chu Qingzhi explained.

“King’s mansion!” Chu Qingning reacted with a mix of fear and shock. “This place must be heavily guarded. How did you get in here? Be careful, Fifth Sister. If they catch us both, it would make things even worse for Brother Jinghong. And they’ve been threatening me to secretly kill him.”

Chu Qingzhi laughed softly, “They want you to kill Jinghong?”

“Yes, they seem to think I could even if I tried to ambush him, which is unlikely,” Chu Qingning shook her head, incredulous.

Chu Qingzhi reassured her, “Don’t worry, I’ll take you out of here soon.”

“But how can we escape with so many guards?” Chu Qingning worried about risking Chu Qingzhi’s safety.

“I have a way,” assured Chu Qingzhi. She opened the window and beckoned Chu Qingning over. Wrapping an arm around her waist, she flew out of the window before Chu Qingning could react.

Overwhelmed, Chu Qingning almost screamed but covered her mouth, realizing it could alert the guards. Her face turned red from holding her breath.

The daring escape didn’t go unnoticed. The mansion’s guards shouted as they chased after them, “Stop! Stop!”

Chu Qingzhi smiled back at the trailing guards, accelerating suddenly. The distance between them quickly widened, leaving the pursuers gasping for air, unable to keep up.

With a wave of her hand, Chu Qingzhi summoned a gust of wind that knocked the guards off their feet, cutting off any pursuit.

After flying a bit further, Chu Qingzhi finally stopped. “Fourth Sister, it’s safe now.”

“Fifth Sister…” Chu Qingning was speechless, looking at Chu Qingzhi in amazement.

“What’s wrong?” Chu Qingzhi asked, puzzled.

“Nothing,” Chu Qingning said, her voice filled with pride and relief. “I’m just proud to have such a powerful sister. All those guards couldn’t keep up with you. I’m so proud of you, Fifth Sister.”