Chapter 115, Crowning Flower Contest

Translator: StarReader

 

Two days later, the city of Gusu bustled with life once more. The battle to suppress the Whale Gang on Vastest Lake had ended, and disciples from various martial groups returned to Gusu. Briefly, the city gates had been closed to prevent pirates from entering and causing panic among the citizens. Everyone was anxious about the outcome of the battle. Fortunately, Gusu is far from Vastest Lake, so its people were spared the lake’s warfare.

 

After two days of worry, word reached them that the government and martial alliance had defeated the Whale Gang pirates. The entire city rejoiced, quickly returning to its usual lively state. The streets echoed with music and dance, a picture of prosperity.

 

“Lightning Legs Ding Dajiao, you’re still alive?” One man bellowed.

 

“Ha! Thunderclap Group’s Big Brother Lei, your shiny dome’s still on your shoulders!” another roared in reply.

 

“Come on, let’s grab a few large bowls of liquor to celebrate our escape from the jaws of death at Vastest Lake. It was sheer luck that we stumbled upon Immortal Su, turning our fortunes around,” the first said.

 

“What are you talking about? We need to hurry to Mist Terrace for the Crowning Flower Contest! Tonight’s seats aren’t sold by table; they’re in high demand. Once the floor’s full, no one else can squeeze in!”

 

“You’re right, I almost forgot about that. Let’s go!” They laughed and embraced, mounted their horses, and rode off towards Mist Terrace.

 

…

 

Night had fallen.

 

Mist Terrace, with its grand red lanterns and festive decorations, was filled with the scent of makeup and wine. The air buzzed with joyous celebration.

 

Tonight, the Crowning Flower Contest was set to take place at the Mist Terrace. Top-notch courtesans from over forty elite brothels across the Wu Region gathered, vying for the prestigious title of Gusu’s Crowning Flower.

 

But it was not just about the flowers tonight. These women were also being offered up for their maiden night, with martial artists bidding for the honor. They would leave behind their old lives as courtesans.

 

The streets bustle with activity. The Mist Terrace was packed. Wealthy merchants and nobles, young masters of powerful clans, high-ranking group members, and brave warriors all arrived in carriages, sedan chairs, or on horseback to join in the festivities.

 

War could be brutal; few returned unscathed. The battle against the Whale Gang pirates was no exception. Many martial disciples lived their lives on the edge, knowing that yesterday’s safety didn’t guarantee tomorrow’s survival. So they seize the moment and revel in pleasure tonight.

 

Even group leaders and high-ranking leaders came to witness the spectacle firsthand. Young heroes and talented experts who fought bravely against pirates now arrived at Mist Terrace to enjoy a night of debauchery, funded by their hard-earned reward money from the officials and groups they served.

 

Who will win the heart of tonight’s Crowning Flower? Who would secure her maiden night? While few expect to succeed in winning that prize, everyone wants to see. After all, most were just here for the show, hoping to find someone they fancy among the courtesans.

 

The Mist Terrace was surrounded by guards—tough, burly men ready to intervene if any drunken patrons cause trouble tonight. The entire venue had been beautifully decorated in preparation for the Crowning Flower Contest. The atmosphere was electric with anticipation and excitement.

 

Mist Terrace’s entrance bustled with activity as Matron Li and the girls welcomed martial artists from all corners. When Ding Dajiao and Lei, the two prominent martial artists, rode up, Matron Li hurried to greet them. “Matron Li!” Ding Dajiao dismounted, laughing heartily, “Mist Terrace sure knows how to do business! You always wait until we’re flush with cash before throwing a Flower Festival in Gusu City, sucking us dry like skeletons!”

 

Matron Li waved her silk handkerchief, chuckling, “Oh, Mr. Ding, you’re too kind. ‘Riches to rags, then riches again,’ they say. You’re as robust as an ox! There’s no drying up here!” She gestured towards the building. “Of course we have seats for you both! Please, right this way to the first floor.”

 

Meanwhile, Magistrate Wang’s son, Young Master Wang Fuhao, approached Mist Terrace with an entourage of Gusu city officials and lackeys. He waddled arrogantly, flanked by his pet dog. His belly swayed as he fanned himself with an elaborate paper fan.

 

Recently, the Whale Gang that once dominated Vastest Lake’s Cave Mountain had been decimated by an allied force. Daoist Han Shan, their former white path leader, fell with them, leaving Wu Region’s martial groups significantly weakened. Medicine King Sun Baihong was too old to hold things together for long, and Li Shuo, though young and talented, was aloof and unpopular, further straining unity.

 

With the martial groups’ power waning, local officials’ influence grew. Constables ventured out of the city more freely, patrolling the countryside with newfound confidence. Wang Fuhao, son of Gusu’s Magistrate Wang, felt his own importance swell. He arrived at Mist Terrace armed with thick wads of cash, eager to secure the Crowning Flower Contest’s top prize—the Crowning Flower’s first night.

 

“Every martial artist in the Wu Region desires tonight’s Crowning Flower,” he boasted to his cronies. “But this time, I, Young Master Wang, will undoubtedly triumph! Who in Gusu could rival my wealth? With our help and a bit more cash, victory is assured!” His friends cheered him on, reinforcing his belief in his own invincibility.

 

Wang Fuhao unexpectedly bumped into his cousin Wang Fugui on the way to Mist Terrace. His eyes lit up as he blocked his path. “Cousin, you’re headed to Mist Terrace? Don’t even think about competing for the Crowning Flower with your big brother, or I’ll show my ugly side.”

 

Wang Fugui chuckled, “Big Brother, where would I find the time? I’m just going to Mist Terrace to clear my head.”

 

Wang Fuhao frowned, “That’s perfect. Do you have any money on you?”

 

“A couple hundred for emergencies,” Wang Fugui replied.

 

“Borrow some from your big brother, will you?” Wang Fuhao said. “I’m short tonight; I’m going to go to Mist Terrace and contest the Crowning Flower. I’ve got a pile of money ready, but it might not be enough. You don’t spend much anyway; lend me those couple hundred for now!”

 

Wang Fugui didn’t object, but his brow furrowed as he handed over the money.

 

“Big Brother,” Wang Fugui said, “a few hundred won’t cut it. Plus, there’ll be big-shot merchants and martial artists from all over at the Crowning Flower Contest. It’s not going to be easy.”

 

Wang Fuhao waved a dismissive hand. “Who cares about them? I’m the magistrate’s young master; my dad runs Gusu City. No one can take what’s mine!”

 

He clapped his hands together, calling out to his lackeys, “Go, round up the third squad of constables and their team leader! If anyone dares compete with me, arrest them on the spot! Even the Wu Region’s first gang, Whale Gang, was taken down by the authorities. What are these merchants and martial artists compared to that? I want to see who’s more powerful in Gusu City tonight!”

 

Mist Terrace was already crowded inside, with every floor’s private rooms and the grand hall on the first floor nearly filled to capacity. On the third floor, in one luxurious suite, sat a lone man, isolated and aloof, gazing at the bustling scene below.

 

Manager Liu entered the room, whispering, “Leader, I’ve gone to investigate Ah Chou’s origins again.”

 

“How was it?” Han Ya asked, his voice measured.

 

“Your subordinate has failed. Previously, when investigating Fei Xingchou’s family at Heaven Falcon Inn, we found out that his parents were once servants there and had both passed away. His sister was sold off to another household when she was seven. We assumed she’d become a servant in some wealthy family; with Ah Chou’s skill, earning a few hundred silvers shouldn’t be difficult to buy her freedom, so we didn’t investigate further.

 

“This time, we need to provide his sister with compensation and reward money for her loss, but we couldn’t find her at that household. They said she was bought by the matron of a brothel ten years ago. I personally went to the constable’s office in Gusu to check the slave registry and found out that Fei Xingchou’s sister had been resold to Mist Terrace, none other than the head courtesan, Young Miss Ah Nu herself.”

 

“This blood relation is unknown even among martial circles. When I saw them together at a banquet previously, they didn’t recognize each other, and Young Miss Ah Nu wouldn’t reveal her surname. Moreover, with their vastly different appearances, no one would guess. I hadn’t noticed anything either.”

 

Han Ya was silent for a moment before saying, “Young Miss Ah Nu must have her reasons for not wanting others to know about this relation. This matter should not be spread further. We don’t want martial gossips to sully Ah Chou’s name.”

 

Manager Liu nodded.

 

Han Ya pondered for a moment, “Ah Chou’s bones are not yet cold; my sister is still trapped in the brothel. We cannot let our Heaven Falcon Group hero die in vain. Let’s gather some silver and buy Ah Nu out from the Mist Terrace and settle her properly.”

 

Manager Liu hesitated before saying, “Leader, couldn’t we just speak to Leader Li directly and have him order the Caravan Guards to release her?”

 

Han Ya shook his head firmly.

 

“Li Shuo is indeed an old friend of mine, but Young Miss Ah Nu’s price in Gusu City is astronomical now. It involves vast group interests; it wouldn’t be easy for him to explain that to his thousands of disciples. We should follow martial law and gather enough silver to buy her freedom.”

 

Manager Liu frowned deeply. “Leader, Ah Chou saved my life too. I’m not being stingy by not wanting to raise money. But the battle against the Whale Gang cost us six hundred deaths and countless injuries. Plus, we sent ten thousand silver to the Iron Sword Group as tribute for Leader Han…”

 

His voice trailed off. “We’ve spent all our savings. We can’t afford her now. Last year alone, they made hundreds from her. Tonight’s auction alone could fetch thousand or more.”

 

Han Ya’s eyes flashed with anger at the mention of this. He slammed his fist on the table but winced in pain as he reopened his internal injuries.

 

“Silence! Go raise money!”

 

Han Ya coughed violently, spitting out blood. “I, Han Ya, do not owe anyone a debt. Brother Han’s favor will be repaid; as long as I live, the Han family is safe. But Ah Chou? His sacrifice saved my sister and hundreds of our disciples. That’s not something money can buy.

 

“Don’t let him pass on with regret. Get me some silver! Pledge the gang’s most valuable properties—the Heaven Falcon Inn and those city shops—to secure a loan of fifty thousand taels from the money house! If that’s not enough, I’ll have to call in my favor with Yee Brother.”

 

Manager Liu: “Understood, Leader… I’ll rush to the money house and pawn our deeds!”

 

Manager Liu’s heart raced; he knew Leader’s anger was real. Without another word, he hurried from the private room.

 

Alone, Han Ya sat in the private room, watching the bustle below at Mist Terrace, his face somber.

 

Ah Chou’s death hurt him most, for he was the Heaven Falcon Group’s leader. He’d seen great potential in Ah Chou, a young, first-rate expert who had worked tirelessly to cultivate himself from humble beginnings. With some grooming, Ah Chou could have been a formidable ally to Han Shu, helping her steer the group to new heights.

 

But fate was cruel; Ah Chou died too young, leaving the group bereft of such promising talent.

 

Heaven Falcon Group’s coffers were empty after paying out the deceased disciples’ compensation. They needed funds urgently—selling off their properties seemed the only solution.

 

Capturing Whale Gang’s headquarters had yielded little silver; they’d spent it all on expansion. And while controlling Grand Canal’s territories could generate steady income, it wouldn’t be enough, not immediately.

 

Yet, no matter how dire their financial straits, they must ransom Young Miss Ah Nu. It was the least they could do for Ah Chou on his journey to the afterlife.