"Do your bodies get cold all over, like ice sculptures, on the first and fifteenth of every month?" Zhao Linglong asked.
"Sir, how did you know this secret?" The five girls from the Western Regions were very surprised by her words.
They covered their mouths and stared at Zhao Linglong, asking in return.
Indeed.
Zhao Linglong thought to herself.
These five women were truly from there.
They were the legendary Moon Maidens of the Western Regions.
This was because only Moon Maidens with special physiques would exhibit the reactions Zhao Linglong had just described.
And Zhao Linglong, through the events that had transpired in the capital during this period,
combined with the relationship between the Zhang family and Peach Blossom Waterside, understood the Zhang family's intentions.
No wonder Hong Xiu had secretly manipulated things, allowing those five families to bid for the Moon Maidens.
"The Zhang family, what deep schemes they have. Their appetite is growing larger and larger, do they intend to monopolize the entire capital?" Zhao Linglong said coldly.
However, there was one point she still didn't understand.
"Legend has it that the Moon Maidens have always lived in Luoyue Valley. How could they have been brought to the capital?"
The five Moon Maidens' expressions turned very sad upon hearing this.
"Sir, we have no answer to that. We were sleeping at home the night before we were captured."
"But when we woke up, we were already locked in a cage, and then we were brought here."
The people involved didn't know?
Zhao Linglong narrowed her eyes slightly, a possibility coming to mind, but she didn't voice it.
Then,
she continued to ask.
"During this period, have there been any disappearances in your Luoyue Valley?"
Zhao Linglong's follow-up question surprised the five even more.
"Sir, how did you know?"
"I guessed it. Otherwise, why do you think I would be here today?" Zhao Linglong replied.
"Sir, can you save us and let us leave here?" The five Moon Maidens nodded slightly.
Their gazes shifted to Luo Yiren and the other three who were fighting not far away.
A wave of fear washed over them.
Although they had been acupoint-sealed earlier, their consciousness had remained clear.
They were aware of everything that had happened on the auction stage.
Knowing what fate awaited them if they were bid upon, they now only wished to leave.
And Zhao Linglong,
had become their only hope.
"Sigh..." Zhao Linglong sighed slightly.
"Wait for me and follow behind me, and we'll leave together. Whether you can successfully return depends on your fortune."
These five Moon Maidens, due to their special physiques, were easily coveted by others.
As a woman, Zhao Linglong felt a pang of compassion and intended to give them a glimmer of hope.
As for whether they could escape, that was no longer within Zhao Linglong's concerns.
At the same time.
Zhang Yang, who had secretly infiltrated the auction house's backstage.
After a period of searching, he finally found the underground entrance to the headquarters of Huaxia Wulong.
"It's here!"
Zhang Yang muttered to himself, his true qi erupting.
He stomped on the ground, shattering the marble tiles.
Dust billowed up, and Zhang Yang dispersed it with his true qi.
Indeed, he saw a dusty staircase leading underground.
He descended into it.
Zhang Yang rapidly went deeper.
Although the underground passage was dark and devoid of light, Zhang Yang possessed night vision, allowing him to move as if on level ground.
However.
As he explored the staircase downwards, he suddenly stopped.
What met his eyes was a wall blocked by a steel plate.
This...
Zhang Yang frowned.
The depth he was currently at was only about three meters underground.
He was still half the distance away from what Uncle He and the others had mentioned.
Yet.
this steel plate wall in front of him blocked his path.
Zhang Yang felt around the smooth wall for a while.
He found no mechanism that could open this steel plate wall.
Moreover, judging by the condition of the steel plate, it appeared to have been installed in recent years.
It wasn't that Uncle He and the others had forgotten to tell him about the steel plate wall.
"Zhang family!"
Instantly.
Zhang Yang thought of the culprit.
This steel plate wall in front of him was definitely constructed by the Zhang family!
Boom!
Filled with resentment, Zhang Yang slammed his palm towards the steel plate wall, intending to break through it.
However, he had underestimated the thickness of the steel plate wall.
With that palm strike, Zhang Yang had used the martial skill "Carefree Palm."
Its power was immense, nearly causing the underground passage to collapse.
But...
that palm strike only embedded itself five centimeters into the steel plate wall, failing to penetrate it.
"How thick is this steel plate wall?" Zhang Yang was unwilling to accept it and struck out with two more palms.
This time, the depth reached fifteen centimeters, yet the steel plate remained unbreached.
"Damn it! The Zhang family deserves to die!" Zhang Yang cursed.
The Hua Long Water was so close, yet he was completely blocked!
Furthermore, a bad feeling began to grow in Zhang Yang's heart.
Perhaps.
The underground headquarters of Huaxia Wulong was not as impregnable as Uncle He and the others had described.
It might have been secretly discovered by the Zhang family, and everything inside taken.
Then.
They constructed this steel plate wall to block anyone from Huaxia Wulong who might want to return!
Boom!
Boom boom!
Boom boom boom!
...
The more Zhang Yang thought about it, the more unwilling he became, and he continued to strike out with palm after palm.
But his persistent efforts were in vain.
The steel plate remained unbreached, only bearing deep palm prints.
At this point, Zhang Yang gave up.
There was no further use in staying here.
If the Zhang family's experts arrived, it would be difficult for them to escape.
Then.
Zhang Yang turned and walked towards the surface, planning to return and devise a new plan.
...
At the same time.
The battle within the auction house had entered a white-hot stage.
Although Zhao Jian and Tian Xiang both sustained injuries, their fight was not as fierce as Hong Xiu and Luo Yiren's.
At this moment.
Luo Yiren and Hong Xiu were both in a sorry state, their clothes tattered, revealing much of their skin.
However.
Their tempers flared with each passing moment.
"You're a woman too? Perfect, I'll capture you and make you a hostess at Peach Blossom Waterside!" Hong Xiu said angrily.
"Hostess your ass! I'll tear off every mouth on your body!" Luo Yiren retorted fiercely.
Bang!
Bang bang!
They exchanged blows while exchanging insults.
But with the same cultivation, neither could gain the upper hand.
Hong Xiu excelled in combat experience, but Luo Yiren's true qi compensated for it, making it impossible for either to defeat the other.
Zhao Linglong, watching from not far away, also felt a bit worried.
If the fight dragged on too long, someone from the Zhang family might arrive.
As expected.
The moment this thought arose, a figure appeared outside the door.
Zhang Xiao, with a grim expression, barged in and stared at Zhao Jian, saying coldly.
"I wondered who dared to cause trouble in my Peach Blossom Waterside. So it's someone from the Zhao family."
As he spoke.
Zhang Xiao's gaze shifted to Zhao Linglong, disguised as a man on the auction stage, and he recognized her immediately.
"Zhao Linglong, are you getting restless? Do you want to be the top hostess at my Peach Blossom Waterside?"
Zhang Xiao's words were crude and vulgar due to his anger.
Zhao Linglong was furious but remained silent.
What she had feared had come to pass, and her reinforcements had not yet arrived.
"Miss, you leave first, I'll cover your retreat," Zhao Jian also shouted, his face greatly changed.
However.
Zhang Xiao would not allow them to escape. He sneered.
"A mere two Hidden Yuan realm cultivators, and you dare to talk about covering a retreat in front of me?"
With that said.
Zhang Xiao exuded powerful waves of energy.
As a True Yuan realm cultivator, his internal yuan qi surged forth.
He instantly sent Zhao Jian and Luo Yiren flying backward.
Pfft~
Assaulted by the yuan qi, both immediately spat out blood and fell heavily to the ground.
Indeed.
Although the True Yuan realm and Hidden Yuan realm were only separated by one realm, the difference was vast.
In just one exchange, both were rendered incapable of fighting.
"Greetings, Young Master."
"It is our incompetence, please punish us."
With the battle concluded, Hong Xiu and Tian Xiang did not press their advantage.
Instead, they walked to Zhang Xiao's side and knelt heavily, begging for forgiveness.
"It's not your fault. It's normal that you couldn't stop Zhao Linglong from causing trouble," Zhang Xiao waved his hand, not blaming them.
Then.
He strode towards Zhao Linglong, his face filled with malice.
"My Zhang family and your Zhao family have always minded our own business. Zhao Linglong, what is the meaning of your disturbance at my Peach Blossom Waterside tonight?"
"If you cannot give me an explanation today, then tonight my Peach Blossom Waterside will have a new top hostess."
"And your Zhao family will have a Zhao family young lady who is a prostitute."
Zhang Xiao was very vicious, having already decided Zhao Linglong's fate.
"Zhang Xiao, watch your mouth. If you dare to do that, can you withstand the wrath of my Zhao family?" Zhao Linglong said sternly.
Although Zhao Linglong was at a disadvantage, she could not back down.
Because Zhao Linglong now represented the Zhao family!
Slap!
Suddenly.
Zhang Xiao slapped her hard, sending Zhao Linglong flying.
"Hmph, withstand the wrath? Your Zhao family provoked me first, why should I care about you?"
"If you want to fight to the death, go ahead. My Zhang family will face it all. If the Zhang family can't handle it, my sect, Seven Killings, will!"
Confidence!
Zhang Xiao was full of confidence!
He not only had the Zhang family but also Seven Killings!
Tonight, being in the right, he was not worried at all.
"Speak, how do you intend to resolve this matter? And what is the purpose of your coming here to cause trouble tonight?" Zhang Xiao asked sternly.
As soon as he arrived, he saw Zhao Linglong standing with the five Moon Maidens, and a bad premonition arose in his heart.
Zhao Linglong's intelligence was well-known in the capital.
Perhaps she had indeed discovered his affairs.
And Zhao Linglong knew why Zhang Xiao was asking, and she knew she couldn't reveal the truth.
Otherwise, Zhang Xiao would surely silence her.
After a moment of thought, Zhao Linglong explained.
"What do you mean by causing trouble? I was merely curious about the origin of these five courtesans and intended to bid for them to find out."
"Hmph, curious about their origin?"
Zhang Xiao narrowed his eyes slightly, considering the credibility of Zhao Linglong's words.
"So now you know? Aren't you going to give me an explanation?"
This...
Zhao Linglong pondered for a moment and said.
"What kind of explanation do you want?"
"Of course, it's to ruin your reputation as a Zhao family princess! Otherwise, how can you compensate for my Peach Blossom Waterside's losses today!"
As Zhang Xiao spoke, he suddenly stepped forward and with a rip.
With a tearing sound.
Zhao Linglong's clothes were ripped off by Zhang Xiao on the spot.
Instantly.
A large expanse of fair skin was exposed.
"Zhang Xiao! Are you crazy?" Zhao Linglong's face changed greatly, and she covered her remaining chest-binding attire with her hands.
"Heh heh, crazy? So what if I'm crazy?" Zhang Xiao sneered.
He operated under the principle of better safe than sorry.
Since Zhao Linglong knew the origin of these five people, Zhang Xiao would not let her go no matter what.
However.
Just as Zhang Xiao was about to make a further move.
A figure descended from the sky, yuan qi erupting and forcing Zhang Xiao back.
"Zhang Xiao, if you want to fight, I'll fight you. What kind of man are you bullying my sister?"
The newcomer, clad in a fiery red robe, held a red longsword.
As soon as he appeared, his longsword was drawn, its three feet of sharp edge pointing directly at Zhang Xiao.
"Sister!"
"Zhao Fenghuang? Even you've come? It seems your Zhao family's intentions tonight are not simple." Zhang Xiao's face changed greatly.
The two renowned women of the Zhao family in the capital had both appeared.
Then.
What Zhao Linglong had said earlier must have been an understatement.
They had definitely figured out his plan.
"Won't let us go? Do you think you're qualified to speak like that?" Zhao Fenghuang shouted.
As her yuan qi erupted, her longsword surged forward like a broken bamboo.
Zhao Fenghuang, who was already short-tempered, had seen her sister Zhao Linglong being humiliated by Zhang Xiao as soon as she arrived.
Her attack was extremely vicious, aimed directly at Zhang Xiao's throat.
"We're both True Yuan realm cultivators, do you think you can do anything to me?" Zhang Xiao's expression turned serious, but he was dismissive.
He unleashed his fists, and the yuan qi fist winds blocked Zhao Fenghuang's sword.
Boom!
Both retreated three steps, ending in a draw.
"Sister, this is the Zhang family's territory, we shouldn't stay long, let's go." Zhao Linglong saw that Zhao Fenghuang still wanted to attack and quickly called out.
Zhao Fenghuang then snorted coldly, sheathed her sword, and prepared to leave with Zhao Linglong.
Zhao Jian, Luo Yiren, and the five Moon Maidens from Luoyue Valley also followed behind them, intending to leave.
"Young Master, this..." Hong Xiu and Tian Xiang asked nervously.
If the troublemakers were allowed to leave unharmed today.
Then the reputation of Peach Blossom Waterside would surely be damaged.
Moreover, if the two Zhao family women really knew Zhang Xiao's plan.
Then the situation would become even more complicated.
"Don't worry, they won't be able to escape," Zhang Xiao said with a cold smile.
He had no intention of stepping forward, remaining in place without moving.
Suddenly.
Two aged voices emerged from the entrance of the auction house.
"Heh heh, this matter is not yet resolved, you cannot leave."
There were two entrances to the auction house.
At this moment.
An old man with a weathered and ancient appearance stood at each entrance.
Zhao Linglong and Zhao Fenghuang's faces changed greatly as they recognized the faces of the two individuals.
They knew both of them!
They were the Zhang family's enshrined guests!
Their strength was also in the True Yuan realm!
"This is bad, things have become troublesome now," Zhao Linglong said grimly.
The hot-tempered Zhao Fenghuang also stopped, standing still without attacking.
The situation had now exceeded Zhao Fenghuang's control.
The Zhang family had three True Yuan realm cultivators.
With a three-on-one situation, she had no confidence at all.
"I said earlier that none of you can leave today. Do you believe me now?"
At this moment, Zhang Xiao also walked forward, sneering.
These two enshrined guests.
They had come with him from the Zhang family, just in case.
He hadn't expected them to be useful after all.
"Zhang Xiao, are you sure you want to fight to the death?" Zhao Fenghuang asked.
"Fight to the death? With you?" Zhang Xiao scoffed.
"I..." Zhao Fenghuang was momentarily speechless.
Indeed.
With just herself, she really didn't have the right to say such a thing.
The appearance of these two Zhang family enshrined guests made Zhao Linglong's side feel despair.
The only one who remained relatively calm was Luo Yiren.
Her gaze swept towards the back of the auction house.
Seeing a figure emerge, she suddenly smiled happily.
"Actually, there's no need to fight to the death. They can't stop us, and we can even smash this place."