The Eternal Way-Chapter 191: The Serious Rabbit (Part 2)

In the end, Wang Baisan still agreed to meet.

Precisely because he understood how unbelievable this matter was, he felt compelled to see for himself what kind of divine figure this new Horse King was.

Every city's dark corners hid powers akin to nests of cockroaches; perhaps not formidable in the eyes of experts, but unless every last one was exterminated, they could never be completely eradicated.

Within a single day, all intelligence agencies failed to notice that within just four shichen (approximately eight hours), she had subdued countless forces across the entire Lower Nine Gates, dethroned the old Horse King, ascended the throne herself, and did so with such stability that even the former Horse King willingly became her pawn, serving her bidding.

What kind of prowess was this?

What sort of person could accomplish such an unimaginable feat?

Just thinking about it sent chills down Wang Baisan's spine. If this person were to become his enemy in the future, would he stand a chance against her?

She had become the Horse King today, accomplishing it in merely four shichen.

But what if tomorrow, she desired to become the 'Eastern Master'—himself?

He had to thoroughly understand who he was dealing with and see this person with his own eyes.

Deciding to meet on the spot, Wang Baisan arranged everything for the meeting within a quarter hour.

Everything was meticulously organized, and within half an hour, their meeting was set.

Another quarter hour passed.

Wang Baisan arrived at the designated location—the Red-Green Building, the largest gold-digging den in the Lower Nine Gates.

Its name derived from the phrase "red-green makeup," hinting at its business nature.

This place was extremely luxurious, occupying vast grounds. Upon entering, one could see green forests casting shadows, water forming patterns, mountains suspended in bright light, and latticed windows facing each other over eaves.

There were red platforms and green pavilions connected by floating paths, inside which spells controlled the temperature, boasting: "four seasons outside, no heat or cold inside."

Beyond the eaves lay mountain pools surrounded by bamboo, pines, orchids, and angelicas, lined up along steps, holding winds and dewdrops, exuding fragrances everywhere. Though there weren't many solemn places here, the scented pavilions spread everywhere made hearts flutter and souls sway.

From the outside, it appeared as green walls and vermilion pillars stretching gracefully. Stepping inside revealed flowing robes catching the wind, sheer veils fluttering, countless beauties, and corridors filled with the sounds of gongs and pipes, sad flutes, zithers playing, and endless music and dance.

Xiang curtains and verdant screens, clear ponds, small mountains, flowers, and trees adorned vermillion railings and winding columns.

As soon as Wang Baisan arrived, a servant boy bowed before him and led him into a secluded room, offering golden goblets and rare delicacies.

Entering the room, there were singing girls and dancing women, striking zithers and blowing reed pipes, performing without pause day and night, showing no signs of fatigue.

Wang Baisan came to this place first, walking into the building.

Laughing heartily, he sat down naturally: "Ha ha, I've heard people say that in the Red-Green Building, there is a beauty named Yue Hua, always topping the Flower List for her skill in playing the konghou and her ability to sing the song 'The Departure of Lady Zhaojun', moving all who hear her. My fortune has been shallow, and I have yet to see her. Today, with the Horse King hosting, might I have the chance to feast my eyes?"

The servant boy welcoming him immediately replied with a smile: "Master's presence is an honor; how could these few women not appear? Tonight, the Red-Green Building will not entertain others, opening only for you. All twenty-eight renowned beauties listed in the Book Immortal Flower List are present!"

Wang Baisan showed a delighted expression, patting his folding fan: "Excellent, excellent."

"I've long heard of the fame of the Book Immortal Flower List, claiming to spend a thousand pieces of gold in a day, where beauties display their utmost grace and charm. Today, I shall witness it myself," Wang Baisan said with a smile.

Hearing this, the servant boy clapped his hands, signaling outside with a secret sign.

Then, sixteen young ladies stepped out, singing softly and walking gracefully, harmonizing with zithers and pipas, finding notes and keeping rhythm, appearing like clear ripples at the bottom of a stream, morning dew unevaporated, emerald kerchiefs gently waving, perfumes assaulting the senses.

Some captivated with their every step, occasionally taking elegant strides, serving barefoot.

Others possessed supreme beauty, excelling in elegance, achieving remarkable resonance.

Some had exceptional poise, like crimson clouds in the sky, cranes among the clouds.

Others had tender voices, like fresh willows before the wind, orioles beneath blossoms.

Some were weak and delicate, frail against the wind, tender under the sun.

Others were skilled musicians, chewing petals and blowing leaves, embracing the moon and strumming the wind.

Some danced like spinning flowers, lotus feet touching the ground, graceful waists swaying.

Others had the most exquisite voices, dressed plainly, sounding like baby phoenixes.

Some excelled in poetry, standing out uniquely, sharp and intelligent.

These twenty-eight beauties, each with their unique charms, dazzled the eye. They cast glances, seeming about to speak, displaying great grace and allure.

Players played, singers sang, dancers danced, and as soon as they performed, listeners were entranced, viewers' hearts stirred.

The servant boy continued speaking into Wang Baisan's ear, saying:

"Master, do you know that on ordinary days, though these beauties are skilled in music and dance, they will not easily sing unless among close friends who appreciate their art. Even if greatly encouraged, they would not lightly display their graceful figures. There are wealthy men in the city who spare no expense to see them, yet they rarely get a glimpse of their true beauty."

"But upon hearing that Master was coming, all the beauties canceled their scheduled engagements, hurriedly dressing up, eagerly awaiting your arrival to admire the flowers. This shows how renowned Master is."

Hearing this, Wang Baisan laughed heartily: "Hahaha, you certainly have a sweet tongue. Come here, rewards for you!"

As he spoke of giving rewards, his face showed a warm smile, but he only glanced at the beauties without lingering, then proceeded step by step to the main hall.

However, as soon as he entered the main hall, he was stunned.

There was another beauty waiting for him in the main hall.

Wang Baisan could tell that unlike the pretentious beauties outside, this one exuded an inherent coldness and nobility from within.

She did not join the other beauties outside but waited alone inside.

Looking at her was like seeing the moonlight and gentle breeze or willows swaying in the evening wind—like sipping a light tea, calm and elegant, cleansing one's soul with her clear presence, devoid of any earthly aura. It left Wang Baisan momentarily dazed.

Others might not notice, perhaps just thinking she was a pretty girl, but he immediately recognized the unforgettable qualities of this woman.

Coldness in her heart, freedom in her bones, grace in her flesh, and beauty in her skin.

This was what truly defined a beauty!

Those outside were merely flesh and blood.

Wang Baisan was astounded, almost forgetting to breathe.

After several seconds, he snapped his folding fan and asked the servant boy beside him, "Which one on the Book Immortal Flower List is this? Why have I never heard of her before?"

Upon hearing this, the servant boy turned pale, breaking out in a cold sweat.

He quickly knelt down and kowtowed, his head banging against the floor: "Master, please don't jest! Be cautious; this is our new Horse King of the Lower Nine Gates!"

New Horse King?!

Wang Baisan was shocked.

He thought this woman was extraordinary, assuming she was one of the entertainers welcoming guests outside, just fallen on hard times. He never imagined that she was actually the new Horse King.

Was it really this person who unified the Lower Nine Gates in four shichen?

Was she the one who took control of all the underground forces in Guangyang City within half a day?!

Gu Liou

While Wang Baisan was astonished, the woman spoke.

"Wang... Baisan, right?" she said.

Her voice was also very pleasant.

But Wang Baisan quickly regained his composure and replied, "Indeed, may I ask why the Horse King has invited me here? On our first meeting, if I have offended you in any way, please forgive me."

Though beautiful, he knew how to distinguish between important matters and trivial ones.

Then, he saw a glimmer of spirit slowly appear in the eyes of this woman, as if... she had just woken up.

Her previously vacant gaze quickly returned to its lively state, and she sat up straight: "These mundane affairs need not concern us. Everyone, leave. Who arranged for so many people to be here?"

The kneeling servant boy hurriedly said, "But wasn't this arranged by you, the Horse King?"

"When did I arrange this?" the new Horse King frowned.

The source of this c𝐨ntent is freeweɓnovēl.coɱ.

"You said everything should proceed as usual. In the past... this was the standard," the servant boy stammered nervously.

"Then start removing them now. I want to speak with Wang Baisan alone. All irrelevant people must leave." The new Horse King ordered sternly.

The servant boy hastily dismissed all the attendants, leaving only the new Horse King and Wang Baisan.

Wang Baisan didn't feel much about it, just finding the actions of the new Horse King somewhat peculiar.

Didn't she know what she had arranged?

Could she not be as sharp and capable as he imagined?

How did she manage to change everything within four shichen?

Wang Baisan was puzzled but didn't say anything more as all the servants and beauties were withdrawn.

Then, the new Horse King glanced at Wang Baisan and muttered, "Jiannan Wang Family? How are your people here as well..."

Wang Baisan raised his eyes, flashing a look of sharpness and fear.

A murderous intent arose in his heart, erasing any sentiment of cherishing beauty.

How did she know?!

Had his background been exposed?

When? Where?

How could it be?!

But the new Horse King seemed unaware of these subtleties and proceeded to speak on her own: "My name is Shen Shuibei. From now on, I will talk first, and you are not to interrupt."

"Li Qi sent me to find you because there are a few things I need to discuss with you."

Wang Baisan was taken aback, immediately taking a deep breath to suppress his shock.

Li Qi? She's one of Li Qi's people?

Impressive! Indeed, she must be from the direct lineage of Wu Deity Mountain to have uncovered my background so thoroughly. Is this an attempt to intimidate me? Does Li Qi already know my plans?

Truly formidable; I underestimated the abilities of Wu Deity Mountain disciples.

Wang Baisan mentally elevated Li Qi to the highest alert level, but Shen Shuibei paid no heed and continued speaking:

"The matter concerning Monk Chan Zhi has been exposed. Now, Li Qi is actively engaging with Chan Zhi to protect the hundred thousand disaster-stricken civilians from being sacrificed. He sent me to find you, saying you have a solution."

"Next, I need to find Li Qi. Provide all the information you have about Monk Chan Zhi."

"There are also people dispatched to Righteous Sword Palace, and I have some details about the appearance of Swallowing Heaven Demon Nest at The Rat Mound."

"You should bring all your resources for me to allocate. I need to rescue Li Qi."

"Finally, if you cooperate honestly, I can give you the Luo Fu Ben Yue Guan Xiang Fa (Luo Fu Moon Escape Visualization Technique)."

Shen Shuibei succinctly stated her demands and the compensation she could offer.

Though Wang Baisan was surprised by her earlier words, he remained composed.

However, upon hearing "Luo Fu Moon Escape Visualization Technique," he stood up abruptly, filling the surroundings with a powerful aura. Frameworks appeared, instantly imposing 'rules' in this space—rules unique to Wang Baisan.

The 'Rules' exclusive to Wang Baisan.

The Rules bind the square and the circle; within this square and circle, Wang Baisan is the Rules themselves. The yin and yang of the outside world momentarily pause, the four seasons nearly fade, and even the jade waters of Shen sink instantly into the framework.

Wang Baisan sternly demanded, "Who exactly are you?! How do you know the LuoFu Moon Escape Visualization Technique?!"

His voice was filled with shock and fear.

Shen Shuibei frowned, "How would I not know? It's something I wrote, why wouldn't I know?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Baisan was so enraged that he burst into laughter, sneering, "What a joke! Do you even know who crafted this treasure? In the Luofu Cave Heaven resides the Moonlight Fairy, known as the Supreme Yellow Mother Goddess of the Lunar Essence. The Luofu Moon Escape Visualization Technique was created by her esteemed self, a top-tier visualization method among the fifth-rank techniques in the world. You wrote it yourself? What, did you scribble some backwater technique and just happen to name it the same thing?"

He simply couldn't believe that this person before him had access to the Luofu Moon-Chasing Visualization Technique.

You should know that the Moonlight Fairy who authored the Luofu Moon Escape Visualization Technique, is the most mysterious figure of Luofu Mountain.

She is highly revered and often disappears for centuries or even millennia, making her almost impossible to locate, even by Luo Fu Mountain itself. Her name remains unknown, except to Luo Fu Niangniang and another figure with a golden crow body, the Daytime Red Qi Lifa Red Qi True Lord, who can find her.

Despite her reclusiveness, her reputation is immense. The methods she creates and the elixirs she refines are famous throughout Jiannan. A single elixir is worth more than a seventh-rank world and is exceedingly precious with excellent effects, nearly unmatched within the fifth rank.

Even within Luo Fu Mountain, only those with sincere dedication and destined celestial bones can hope to see or hear of her.

Even with qualification, one must pass three rigorous tests. Initially, she would pass on her teachings once every three hundred years, later increasing to once every seven hundred years, highlighting its rarity.

Now, with Luo Fu Mountain destroyed, this method is nearly lost.

As a longstanding noble family in Jiannan under the Tang Dynasty, the Wang family knows these secrets through their long heritage.

Even members of Wu Deity Mountain would not have access to such knowledge at the eighth or ninth rank.

Hearing Wang Baisan's words, Shen Shuibei frowned.

She straightforwardly replied, "If you don't want it, then never mind. Let's change it to the Xuemen Baohai Jing (Mystic Gate Treasure Sea Sutra), a seventh-rank cultivation method. That shouldn't be a problem, right?"

"Why do you have this?" Wang Baisan immediately asked.

"You're so annoying. Do you want it or not?" Shen Shuibei became irritated and waved her hand casually.

Suddenly, the 'rules' around them shattered.

The solidified space instantly broke apart without any resistance.

Already furious, Shen Shuibei bluntly said, "Fair trade. If you don't want to trade, then I'll take it by force. After you're dead, I'll place the reward on your body. The Jiannan Wang Family will think it was a good deal."

Her patience was wearing thin.

Since Li Qi left, an indescribable irritation had been building up inside her. Now, she was seeing red.

Any further delay would lead to brute force.