Chapter 154: Chapter 141 Red Dust Tower_1
Xue Jun, dressed in a red robe, was tall and imposing. Upon hearing the name of Gu Chen, he instantly turned his gaze towards him, his formidable aura flickering in and out as it pressed toward Gu Chen.
No wonder he felt Gu Chen looked familiar. After Gu Chen killed Qin Mu, Xue Jun naturally saw a portrait of Gu Chen. However, he had only glanced at it and hadn't paid much attention at the time. He did not expect to encounter Gu Chen here today.
If possible, Xue Jun wouldn't mind making a move right there and then, splattering Gu Chen's blood three feet into the air, but considering that Gu Chen was from the Jing Tian Department, even though he was a true disciple of the Sunset Sword Sect, he could not attack Gu Chen at will and needed a suitable pretext.
However, there was no need to worry about pressuring him with his aura, as it wouldn't kill anyone. Xue Jun simply wanted Gu Chen to make a fool of himself in public.
Gu Chen stood his ground, clearly feeling the pressure of Xue Jun's aura. Yet, it didn't affect him in the slightest. What was his cultivation level? Saying that he could crush Xue Jun was no exaggeration. To Gu Chen, Xue Jun's release of aura was like a light breeze.
Seeing Gu Chen standing unscathed, Xue Jun's eyes narrowed.
As a true disciple of the Sunset Sword Sect, Qin Mu was his junior brother. Although their relationship was average and they competed for the position of sect leader, regardless of that, Gu Chen's killing of Qin Mu was a loss of face for the Sunset Sword Sect.
Therefore, if it were possible, Xue Jun wouldn't mind taking on Gu Chen. Doing so would also allow him to curry favor with the higher-ups in the sect.
Upon hearing the name Gu Chen, Dong Liang and Wang Sihai also recalled something. Wang Sihai, in particular, trembled as he said, "Could it be... Could it be that you are the legendary, soul-shaking swordsman, Lord Gu Chen?"
Luo Feng snorted, "Now that you know Brother Gu's identity, what are you still standing there for?"
Upon hearing this, Wang Sihai hurried over with a fawning smile on his face, saying, "I was blind as a bat, blind as a bat. I didn't realize it was Lord Gu Chen, how truly sorry I am."
Whether it was the reputation of the Jing Tian Department or Gu Chen's current fame in the martial world, neither was someone Wang Sihai could afford to offend.
With a slight smile, Luo Feng said, "Weren't you just saying that we were a couple of nobodies? And what about the other guy who wanted to throw us into the river? Why don't you continue with that?"
Instantly, a layer of cold sweat appeared on Wang Sihai's body, and he cursed Dong Liang inwardly. If not for Dong Liang, why would he be in such a situation?
"What nonsense are you talking about? Just now, I was the fool who couldn't recognize a great man. Please forgive me, forgive me," Wang Sihai said, bowing at a ninety-degree angle and continually offering apologetic smiles, now treating Luo Feng as a member of the Jing Tian Department as well.
Dong Liang stood by, watching Wang Sihai continuously apologize, his face ashen.
Especially upon seeing Luo Feng's smug look, Dong Liang felt even more infuriated.
But he could not lash out, as even though he was a descendant of a prominent family in Cloud Smoke City, he certainly could not afford to offend someone from the Jing Tian Department. Moreover, Gu Chen's reputation was soaring lately. Rumor had it that he had killed ten thousand with a single sword strike and was considered a living embodiment of slaughter. Dong Liang truly didn't dare provoke him.
He was genuinely afraid that Gu Chen would act on impulse and execute him with a single sword strike, leaving the Dong family with no place to seek justice.
"What are you still standing there for, kid? Do you want to be tossed into the river?" Luo Feng taunted, and it had to be said, his mouth was truly formidable, almost driving Dong Liang to his wit's end.
"And you, what are you still standing there foolishly for? Throw that kid into the river for me; don't let him stand there and be an eyesore to us brothers," Luo Feng said, turning his gaze to Wang Sihai.
Seeing this, Wang Sihai felt extremely troubled. Although Gu Chen held a high status, he couldn't afford to offend Dong Liang either. He stood still, not knowing whether to move or not, nearly dying of anxiety.
Luo Feng's eyes narrowed as he said, "What's the matter? Do you want my brother and me to throw you into the river to feed the fish?"
"Great Sir, Great Sir, I was blind to the mountain before me earlier, please forgive me!" Wang Sihai fell to his knees with a thud, bowing his head to Gu Chen and Luo Feng.
Without a word, Gu Chen paid no attention to a person like Wang Sihai. He walked past him and entered the pavilion ahead.
As he passed by Xue Jun, Xue Jun suddenly said, "Gu Chen, you will attend the Yao Platform event, won't you?"
Gu Chen turned back, glanced at him indifferently, and said, "Whether I attend or not, what difference does it make?"
Observing the disdainful manner with which Gu Chen treated Xue Jun, the disciples behind Xue Jun from the Sunset Sword Sect couldn't help but feel agitated.
After all, they were aware of the grudge between Gu Chen and their sect, having killed two of their fellow disciples and even insulted Master Mei.
All the disciples of the Sunset Sword Sect regarded Gu Chen as their arch-enemy and were extremely hostile towards him.
Unable to bear it any longer, a young disciple stepped forward, pointed at Gu Chen, and said, "Watch your tone!"
This young disciple was only half a step behind Xue Jun in status and was also a true disciple of the Sunset Sword Sect, brimming with vitality and not weak in strength.
But Gu Chen only gave him a glance before completely ignoring him.
Luo Feng laughed and said, "Hey hey hey, what are you yelling for? I'll have you know, it's not just any Tom, Dick, or Harry that can catch my brother's eye."
"You!"
Shi Sen was immediately enraged and was about to erupt, but Xue Jun held him back. He ignored Luo Feng and focused his attention on Gu Chen, saying, "At the Yao Platform event, if you dare to come, we must have a fight."
After dropping this line, Xue Jun took a step to enter the Pavilion of Flowers.
But just then, a figure clad in dark clothes moved even faster than him, entering ahead of Xue Jun.
Shi Sen growled, "Senior Brother, these two are too arrogant!"
Xue Jun's eyes were heavy with thought. A touch of anger had also risen in his heart, though he had yet to lose his composure. After taking a deep breath, he said, "As long as Gu Chen has his eye on the Jade Spirit Ice Liquid, during the Yao Platform event, I have a way to make him a laughingstock. Then, in fair competition, even the Jing Tian Department won't be able to say much."
Shi Sen sneered, "Senior Brother, maybe there's no need for you to take action. I alone am enough to deal with him!"
On hearing this, Xue Jun nodded. Shi Sen's strength was formidable, merely half a step away from reaching the 'Body Like a Savage Dragon' realm, with his physical power already at 150,000 jin, and he had also comprehended a true martial intent.
Taking action himself, to deal with Gu Chen, was a good way to gauge Gu Chen's strength.
If Shi Sen were to be defeated, then it would not be too late for Xue Jun to step in.
Afterward, they too entered the Pavilion of Flowers.
At this moment, the Pavilion of Flowers was adorned with pink lanterns everywhere. There was also a lake inside, crystal clear to the bottom, where colorful flowers were planted in the water, vying for beauty, a vibrant riot of purples and reds.
Upon entering, several women in long dresses, with sweet appearances, were waiting there, bending over with a smile to give Gu Chen and Luo Feng a deep bow.
Many had come to attend the Night Banquet of Flowers, some from Cloud Smoke City and others from afar. Each person had an extraordinary identity, either a disciple of a sect with a certain reputation in the martial world, or a scion of a major family, or an offspring of some noble.
"The number of people attending the Night Banquet of Flowers is truly not small," noted Gu Chen, his eyes lightly flickering as he surveyed the whole place, recognizing many individuals from great powers.
Luo Feng chuckled, "Of course. Even without the Yao Platform event, each year's Night Banquet of Flowers attracts a continuous stream of guests. It's a grand affair of the Qiongtian Mansion."
Gu Chen nodded slightly upon hearing this. He hadn't been in this world for long and was not particularly aware of many things. Besides carrying out missions and improving his cultivation every day, he truly hadn't taken the time to enjoy life much.
Lust can be a boning knife; this is something many know, but on the martial path, few can truly let go of either power or beauty.
Ascetic-like martial artists existed, but they were few.
Besides, the martial path required a balance of relaxation and tension. Overzealous cultivation not only brought no benefits but could also lead to deviating from the path or even harming oneself.
"Brother Gu, the Pavilion of Flowers has ten courtesans, each residing in a different courtyard. What type are you fond of?" asked Luo Feng, looking at Gu Chen with a smile.
Since he had come here, Gu Chen didn't feel the need to be reserved. After some thought, he replied, "Perhaps someone gentle and amiable would be nice."
Upon hearing this, Luo Feng seemed to come to a realization, "No wonder, Brother Gu, you've come to attend the Yao Platform event. I thought, with your personality, you wouldn't come here."
Gu Chen looked at him puzzledly, "Why do you say that?"
With a mysterious expression, Luo Feng leaned closer to Gu Chen and whispered, "Are you really unaware or just pretending, Brother Gu? This Yao Platform event is not just about allocating the Jade Spirit Ice Liquid. It's said that the Yao Platform Sect intends to choose a husband for their heir. Although it's just a rumor, there's a high chance it's true."
Gu Chen was slightly surprised upon hearing this. He hadn't expected Luo Feng to be privy to such secretive news. Back in Li Mountain County, Luo Feng knew clearly the identities of the Evil Heart Sect martial artists, including Zheng Jinan. At this moment, Gu Chen's interest in Luo Feng's identity piqued.
Looking at Luo Feng, Gu Chen said, "Brother Luo, we've known each other for a while now. You know my identity clearly, thoroughly. Yet, I know nothing about you."
Luo Feng looked startled and said, "Oh? Are you interested in my identity, Brother Gu?"
Gu Chen nodded and replied, "Of course, I am really curious why Brother Luo is so well-informed about certain information and intelligence."
Luo Feng laughed, "What identity could I have? I'm not as formidable as you, serving in the Jing Tian Department. My information is all gathered through some unsavory means, hardly worth mentioning."
Gu Chen was persistent, "Brother Luo, saying that makes me feel like you don't truly consider me a friend. It seems to me that our relationship is merely that of passing acquaintances."
Upon hearing this, Luo Feng gave a wry smile, "Brother Gu, don't corner me like this. I'll talk, isn't that enough?"
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Seeing Luo Feng acquiesce, Gu Chen nodded in satisfaction.
Luo Feng straightened his expression and whispered to Gu Chen, "Brother Gu, to tell you the truth, I am from the Red Dust Tower."
"You are from the Red Dust Tower?" Gu Chen exclaimed with a flicker of astonishment in his eyes.
The Red Dust Tower, like the Blood Garment Tower, ranked among the 'Three Unorthodox Paths.' The difference, however, was that the Red Dust Tower did not engage in notorious deeds like the Blood Garment Tower. Although the Red Dust Tower was also an assassination organization, it was not as high-profile, and they did not kill just anyone.
The Red Dust Tower only killed the wicked and, apart from assassination, dealing in intelligence was another way they made their living.
No wonder Luo Feng was so well-informed. The Red Dust Tower's internal intelligence was so rich, their speed in obtaining information so swift, they were not much inferior to the Diancang Pavilion.
Moreover, though the Red Dust Tower was an assassin organization, they operated with far more principles than the Blood Garment Tower. Because of this, Da Xia turned a blind eye to the Red Dust Tower's existence, without delving too deeply.
Furthermore, the Red Dust Tower and the Blood Garment Tower had a competitive relationship, or rather, had mutual enmity since their inception, frequently clashing with each other as rivals.
Having been targeted for assassination by the Blood Garment Tower several times, Gu Chen was planning to request intelligence from the Jing Tian Department to retaliate against the Blood Garment Tower, eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth. But now, having encountered Luo Feng, there was no need for him to look far afield.
Thus, Gu Chen shared his intentions with Luo Feng.