Chapter 435 - 417: Joy Building, Killing Intent

"When Song Mirror investigated the Black Tiger Gang, he found they’d committed all sorts of evil deeds. Is that true?"

"It’s true. Most of these local gangs make money by occupying territory and collecting Peace Coins, protection fees, and the like. Bullying common folk is unavoidable for them. The Black Tiger Gang is especially bad. The people in the western district can barely survive now, and they’re a big reason why."

Upon hearing his senior sister’s confirmation, a murderous glint flashed in Su Yu’s eyes.

He already had a target for governing the western district. The first step was to wipe out the Black Tiger Gang.

"Let’s go, Senior Sister. We’ll go to the Black Tiger Gang’s territory and see for ourselves."

The two walked side by side, observing their surroundings as they went.

The dilapidated state of the western district made their expressions turn grim, leaving them in no mood for idle chatter.

Let alone the dilapidated shantytowns and the garbage and foul-smelling water everywhere, the sight of people starved to skin and bones made it clear this wasn’t a recent development.

Walking through it himself gave Su Yu a much deeper understanding of what it meant to live in chaotic times, where human life was as worthless as weeds.

Chaotic times were approaching. All sorts of businesses were affected, jobs grew scarce, and it became hard for the common people to earn money. On top of that, the prices of grain and goods were skyrocketing. Many were already struggling to get by, so when prices surged, they naturally couldn’t survive at all!

The Black Lotus Sect’s rapid sweep across Liangzhou perhaps wasn’t because they were truly that powerful. It was simply that the people couldn’t survive and were desperate for a change.

As the two made their way through the deepest part of the shantytown, the flow of people suddenly increased. Shops began appearing on both sides, creating a sense of bustling activity amidst the decay.

"Ah Yu, the Black Tiger Gang is just ahead."

The pair arrived before a two-story building. On the second-floor balcony, a dozen or so courtesans were chattering away, beckoning to the customers below.

In front of the first-floor entrance, a young tout saw their extraordinary bearing and immediately scurried over.

He didn’t care that one of them was a woman; some people had special tastes and liked to play rough.

"Sir, please, come inside! Our Joy Building is the most entertaining place in the western district!"

Su Yu, feigning the role of a regular customer, casually tossed the man some Broken Silver and followed him into the Joy Building.

This Joy Building was the Black Tiger Gang’s most profitable business—a brothel—and their headquarters was in the back courtyard.

"Sir, would you like to go to the second floor? The girls there are all top-notch."

Su Yu stuffed another piece of Broken Silver into the man’s hand. He led them past a staircase guarded by two burly men and up to the second floor.

Soon, a heavily made-up madam came over to greet them with a wide smile. "Aiya, what great personage have we here, my lord? Your presence truly brings light to our humble Joy Building."

This madam had met countless people and had a sharp eye.

One glance at Lin Wanzhu’s bearing and face, and she was inwardly stunned. Although Lin Wanzhu was wearing makeup, her natural beauty was still obvious.

This, combined with the cool, noble air of someone long accustomed to a high position, nearly made the madam’s legs give out.

’What kind of man could bring such a high-status, beautiful woman to a brothel?’ She couldn’t help but glance at Su Yu.

After looking him over, a flicker of doubt appeared in her eyes. Su Yu’s face was unremarkable, and his outer clothes were made of common silk.

She immediately snuck a peek at the inner lining of Su Yu’s sleeve.

’Such exquisite silk! It must be tribute-grade!’

’A great personage! Definitely a great personage!’

It had to be said, the madam’s survival instincts as a minor figure were quite practical. Many people might disguise their outer appearance, but they often wouldn’t change their undergarments—an easily overlooked detail.

And the inner shirt Su Yu was wearing was woven from Profound Ice Cold Silkworm Silk. It was a congratulatory gift from Li Jingxuan, exclusively supplied to the Inner City. It was warm in the winter and cool in the summer, and offered decent protection. Zhen’Er had personally had it made for him, and he had grown accustomed to wearing it.

Su Yu’s Divine Sense was incredibly sharp, and he immediately noticed the change in the madam’s eyes. A thought stirred in his mind.

’It seems my experience in the jianghu is still lacking. I’ll have to be more careful in the future.’

"My lord, please, this way to our finest room, the Celestial Fragrance Pavilion. I will go and fetch the best girl in the house for you."

The madam personally led Su Yu and Lin Wanzhu into a room, her attitude impossibly respectful. She then told the young tout to attend to them quickly.

She then excused herself from the room to go find a girl.

Su Yu’s Divine Sense swept over the entire building, probing toward the rear courtyard.

As expected, that was the Black Tiger Gang’s stronghold. He quickly found fifty or sixty of their members.

They all had black cloth strips tied to their sleeves. Some were gorging themselves on meat and wine, some were dallying with women, and others were gambling.

In the centermost room was a fierce-looking man, blind in one eye.

His Qi and Blood were strong; he was an expert at the Ape Tendon Realm.

He was currently gripping a large beef bone, tearing at it with his teeth. Beside him, two comely women in revealing clothes were attending to him—one massaging his shoulders, the other pouring wine.

"Gang Leader, Gang Leader! A big shot has arrived out front. Should you go take a look yourself?"

Someone had come to report, which also allowed Su Yu to confirm the man’s identity.

Zheng Maotu!

Leader of the Black Tiger Gang!

"A big shot? How big? Interrupting me while I’m eating and drinking!"

Zheng Maotu SLAMMED the beef bone onto the table, making the two women beside him jump in fear.

But despite his words, Zheng Maotu still got up and walked toward the door.

Su Yu retracted his Divine Sense and dismissed the young tout from the room.

"Senior Sister, there’s no time like the present. How about we slaughter the Black Tiger Gang today?"

"Ah Yu, if you want to deal with the Black Tiger Gang, you could just send men. Why do you have to do it yourself?"

Lin Wanzhu was a little puzzled, not understanding Su Yu’s reasoning.

Su Yu poured a cup of wine, drained it in one gulp, and said with a smile, "Seeing the Black Tiger Gang with my own eyes today has left me feeling rather vexed."

"If we send troops to surround them, Zheng Maotu might get wind of it and escape. It’s better to just kill them all today!"

Lin Wanzhu keenly perceived Su Yu’s mood. She knew he was likely upset after seeing the harsh lives of the people in the western district juxtaposed with the carefree indulgence of the Black Tiger Gang.

Leaning closer to Su Yu, Lin Wanzhu gazed affectionately at his profile and said, "You are the Great Commander of the Public Security Bureau and a genius Direct Disciple of the White Ape Martial Arts Hall. Do whatever you want to do. Your Senior Sister will always support you."

Su Yu pulled her into his embrace, feeling her body, as soft as a ripe peach. His heart calmed, and he drank his wine in silence.

A short while later, the door opened.

Zheng Maotu entered, followed by a remarkably beautiful girl in a low-cut white ruqun, her figure graceful and alluring.

When Zheng Maotu saw Su Yu and the woman in his arms, he couldn’t for the life of him recognize who this big shot was.

He guessed the man was either in disguise or an Overseas Dragon.

He immediately put on a fawning smile, took a step forward, and said, "My good sir, what fine taste. It must be fate that brought you to my Joy Building today. This is our house’s Oiran, Miss Yin’Er, specially arranged to serve you."

Su Yu continued to hold his Senior Sister, who was like a docile little kitten, not saying a word and letting Su Yu take full charge.

"Have her leave. You stay!"

Su Yu slammed his wine cup forward on the table and boomed, "Pour the wine!"