NOVEL NEXT Chapter 30: Clash at Red Lotus Courtyard
Gao Qiu's words were self-righteous, making it seem like the ones at fault were them instead of him. Little han trembled with anger, her eyes filled with icy coldness.
"All you want is spirit stones, right? I'll give them to you. Now let them go!" she said, throwing a bag of a thousand spirit stones.
Engaging in conflict with the Longfang Gang was clearly not in her favor. Although she was a member of the Feng family, she had no real power. Even if she truly wanted to do something against the Longfang Gang, she didn't have the ability. Besides, the Longfang Gang had two level 4 experts, and it was unlikely that the Feng family would go to war with them for the sake of a servant like her. Unless, of course, she asked Feng Yuan for help,but she was just a servant, and Feng Yuan was the master. Normally, servants do things for their masters, not the other way around.
When Gao Qiu saw that Little han had actually brought out a thousand spirit stones, his eyes lit up. He exchanged a glance with Hu Huan, and after receiving a confirming look, Gao Qiu sneered and said contemptuously, "A thousand spirit stones was just the debt owed by Li Ying and Li Xiu. We took them to the Red Lotus Courtyard for training, teaching them how to become proper courtesans. So now, you owe an additional hundred thousand spirit stones as training fees before you can take them away."
Little han's face flushed with anger. "This is ridiculous!" Her expression darkened considerably. Raising the amount to a hundred thousand spirit stones all at once clearly showed they had no intention of releasing anyone.
Bystanders watching the scene couldn't help but shake their heads.
"The Longfang Gang's methods are truly despicable."
"What can you do? They're powerful. Even if they're disgusting, what are you going to do about it?"
"Those two girls are done for. The Red Lotus Courtyard will keep them trapped here for life."
"That younger woman looks quite beautiful. If she becomes a courtesan here, I'd definitely want to spend time with her."
Some onlookers expressed disdain, while others showed pity. However, the power of the Longfang Gang was too strong. Even those who felt bad for the situation didn't dare interfere.
Gao Qiu scoffed coldly, "Stop talking nonsense. Pay the hundred thousand spirit stones, or both of you can stay at the Red Lotus Courtyard."
As he spoke, he licked his lips and revealed a lecherous expression.Little han was quite beautiful, and even in all of Myriad Demons, her looks were rare. With a bit of "training," she could certainly become the next star courtesan. Plus, with his position, the women of the Red Lotus Courtyard were all his to play with. He was already looking forward to "tasting" her.
Gao Qiu looked like he had them completely under his control. Even if Little han somehow produced the hundred thousand spirit stones, he could always find another excuse, like accusing them of forging the Feng family's identity.
Li Qingqing's face was pale with panic, hiding behind Little han and trembling as she asked, "Sister, what should we do now?"
Little han's face turned ashen with rage. "I am a member of the Feng family! Do you not fear the Feng family's wrath?"
"The Feng family?" Gao Qiu sneered, barely able to hold back his laughter.
If Li Qingqing's family had any real connection to the Feng family, how could they be living in such poverty, borrowing money just to afford medical treatment? There was no way he believed that Little han was truly from the Feng family.
"Forget about the Feng family! If you don't pay the spirit stones today, not even the king of heaven can save you."
Gao Qiu knew the Li family inside and out. They were just ordinary peasants from a small village. For three generations, no cultivators had come from their bloodline. Such powerless people were easily manipulated, without any risk to him.
As the crowd gathered, Hu Huan stepped forward and said, "Relax, the Longfang Gang is not unreasonable. If she can earn ten thousand spirit stones for the Red Lotus Courtyard, we will let them go."
Hu Huan didn't want to damage their reputation too much, so he played the role of the "good cop."
Little han trembled with anger. She hadn't expected such shamelessness and hypocrisy from Hu Huan.
Then Hu Huan's tone became more severe, "Of course, there's another option,we can take you directly to the Feng family, but the consequences will be dire. You and your family will be executed."
"Forging the identity of the Feng family is a grave offense, yet I'm offering you a chance to live. You should be grateful."
Hu Huan glanced around the crowd, giving a signal to Gao Qiu.
Immediately understanding, Gao Qiu barked, "Seize them!"
Little han's heart raced. She drew her sword, her voice cold and sharp as she shouted, "I dare you to try!"
Such powerful sword energy! Gao Qiu was surprised. Little Han might only be at the Level 1, but he could sense a dangerous aura emanating from her.
"Hmph, just a Level 1 cultivator. You're putting on airs in front of me," Gao Qiu sneered, rushing toward her with his level 3 energy, causing Little Han to tense up.
Little han was filled with anxiety. She never imagined they wouldn't even fear the Feng family. Since joining the Feng family, she had never faced such danger and hadn't needed to worry about survival. Her daily focus had been solely on serving her master. But now, outside of the Feng family's protection, she was realizing how perilous the outside world truly was.
"Stop!" A deep voice rang out, and a strong figure emerged from the crowd, dressed simply but with a furious expression.
Seeing Gao Qiu's attack, the man bellowed in anger, "Do you not realize she is from the Feng family?!"
Gao Qiu froze, then burst into laughter. "You are resorting to desperate tricks, even pulling others into your little play."
"Play?" the burly man shouted, furious. "I'm no actor. You're messing with the wrong people!"
He pulled out a wooden token, carved with the large character for "Feng." Unlike a servant's token, this one had a silver lining and bore the character for "Branch" on the back, signifying his status in the Feng family.
"I am Feng Li, the seventh son of the steward of the Feng family's third branch. Dare to challenge the Feng family, and you'll pay with your life!"
Most branch family members wouldn't dare challenge a force like the Longfang Gang, but Feng Li's father was a level 4 expert and the leader of the third branch. In the Feng family, this gave him considerable authority, so Feng Li had no fear of the Longfang Gang.
Feng Li furiously shouted, "You ignorant fools! This is Little han, a servant of the young master himself! You dare try to force her into the Red Lotus Courtyard? If the young master finds out, the Longfang Gang will be annihilated!"
Hearing this, Gao Qiu faltered, but after thinking for a moment, he sneered again. "How dare you insult me!"
He refused to believe Li Qingqing's family had any connection to the Feng family. Their poor state was obvious, and if they had any real backing from the Feng family, their situation would never be this miserable.
Gao Qiu's eyes blazed with fury. "You dare insult the Longfang Gang? Today, I'll cut off your limbs as a lesson!"
Unleashing his full energy, Gao Qiu's hand became as hard as iron as he lunged at Feng Li with murderous intent.
Feng Li panicked. He was only at the Level 2 . There was no way he could withstand a Level 3 expert.
He was stunned. Do they not fear the Feng family? Has Myriad Demons changed so much?
"My father is the steward of the third branch! If you kill me, the Longfang Gang will be destroyed!"
Feng Li roared in desperation, filled with rage. He didn't believe Gao Qiu would dare follow through.
Gao Qiu snorted, filled with mockery. "Still pretending? Let's see how the Longfang Gang gets destroyed."
"If you're really with the Feng family, then I must be the King of Heaven."
"Stop this at once!"
A voice filled with fury rang out, and a sword light shot through the air, carrying powerful sword intent that instantly severed Gao Qiu's arm.