Chapter 666: Entering the Palace with Ease

Yo, guest, please come inside.

Just as he reached the door, several lovely young women stepped forward and surrounded Xu Jie.

Facing this situation, Xu Jie was completely at ease, laughing loudly while holding one in each hand.

Haha, arrange a nice seat for me, sir.

Sure, I'll make sure you're satisfied.

One look at Xu Jie's demeanor and you knew he was wealthy; naturally, the women were even more enthusiastic than usual.

But the moment Xu Jie stepped through the gate, he instantly saw Shen Xian also surrounded by a group of women.

Shen Xian had been happily drinking, but when he turned his head, he saw Xu Jie just walking in.

The gazes of the two senior brothers met in midair, and for a moment both faces turned a little awkward.

But it was fine; neither of them was a good person, so they quickly looked away, pretending not to know each other.

Xu Jie was led to another private booth, just like Shen Xian, and amid the throng of beauties he drank happily to his heart's content.

As seasoned hands at the pleasure quarters, there was no such thing as being unable to let loose.

But not long after they started drinking, a familiar voice rang out.

Give me a private booth.

Pfft—Xu Jie couldn't hold it in, and a mouthful of drink sprayed out.

He turned his head and saw—damn it, the Senior Brother...

How come this guy isn't with Senior Sister Zhao Rou? Why is he alone?

Xu Jie couldn't figure it out; the two had clearly entered the city together, and at the same time Zhao Zhengping also spotted Xu Jie and Shen Xian.

He also froze for a moment, but quickly recovered, and amid the girls' attentions he likewise chose a private booth and began drinking by himself, pretending not to know them.

No one noticed the three's oddness, and with beauties in their arms they quickly forgot about it.

They were here to gather information; how could they let such trifles distract them?

But slowly, as time passed, things began to feel a bit off.

One after another, Wanxiang and other Dao Yi Sect disciples walked in.

Tsk tsk, I haven't even tried Zhongzhou's pleasure quarters yet; let's gather some intel first.

Their thoughts oddly coincided; I don't know when it started, but soon the first floor of this pleasure house was nearly filled with Dao Yi Sect senior brothers.

You know, this pleasure house isn't small; the ground-floor hall is huge.

At this point even the madam of the pleasure house looked at the hall with some doubt and asked.

Strange, what's going on today? Why is everyone coming in alone?

In the past, coming alone to the pleasure house wasn't rare, but usually people came in pairs or threes with friends.

Like today, everyone's coming in alone—damn strange.

Looking around, nearly every table had a single young man, and otherwise it was all women.

After so many years in the pleasure house, even the madam had never seen such a scene.

With so many senior brothers gathered together, even Xu Jie felt a bit unnatural, drinking while silently cursing in his heart.

Pah, a bunch of lecherous fools—I, Xu San, disdain to associate with you.

As expected, the senior brothers are indeed here.

How could the righteous leaders of our Dao Yi Sect produce such lustful, reckless disciples like you?

With important matters at hand, you still have the nerve to come to the pleasure house?

Not just Xu Jie—others also silently cursed in their hearts, but outwardly they showed nothing, each still enjoying themselves.

But amid the revelry, a squad of soldiers rushed in, chatted briefly with the madam, searched a bit, then hurriedly left.

Seeing this, Xu Jie asked curiously.

What's going on?

Don't worry, sir; a petty thief has slipped into the city, and the city guard is apprehending him.

Huh???

A petty thief? Who? Surely not someone from our Dao Yi Sect? Impossible—with everyone's abilities, entering a city isn't exactly easy; why would they need to force their way in?

Xu Jie thought it impossible, but realizing that a petty thief had broken into the city and caused such a commotion, it actually worked in their favor.

The more chaos, the easier it is to fish in troubled waters.

The other senior brothers also got the news and thought the same.

Xu Jie and his crew were indulging in drink and pleasure, but Lin Luochen had it rough—no sooner had she entered the city than she discovered the whole city was hunting her.

Moreover, all city gates were on lockdown; anyone leaving had to be strictly inspected and their identity verified.

Patrols of city guards searching for her could be seen everywhere on the streets.

She hadn't even walked two streets before the city guard blocked her; in desperation she could only keep fighting.

But that only drew the city guard's pursuit, leaving her no choice but to keep fleeing.

As she fled, Lin Luochen also worried about her fellow senior brothers.

She was already in such dire straits, not knowing how they were faring or if they faced the same; how could she sneak into the palace, let alone storm it?

While she was being chased across the city, the senior brothers she worried about had already curled up with their beauties and fallen asleep.

Really absurd—so many people, each demanding their own room?

The madam looked at the fully booked rooms, began to doubt life itself—something was off, today's guests were truly strange.

Coming alone to play, then renting a room one per person—what the hell does that mean?

Unlike Xu Jie and the others, Ye Zhangqing was now in a nice courtyard, with Bai Hua Xianzi and Zhu Wu at his side; as for Jueying, after entering the city he had already slipped ahead into the palace.

As the Shadow Peak Peak Master, Jueying's entry into the palace was a piece of cake.

And Ye Zhangqing directly sought out the steward of the Imperial Kitchen.

That's not hard; a casual inquiry will reveal it.

And Ye Zhangqing's idea is also simple: to enter Huánggōng, what identity could be more suitable than that of a cook?

Moreover, the steward of the Imperial Kitchen is also a member of the Spirit Chef Alliance.

After Ye Zhangqing contacted the three alliance leaders, the steward immediately agreed to try to bring Ye Zhangqing into the palace.

Having connections makes things easy, but upon learning that Ye Zhangqing was actually in the capital of the Great Abyss Empire, the three alliance leaders of the Spirit Chef Alliance were dumbfounded.

We're damn well heading to the border city, and you tell me you're in the Great Abyss capital?

This is basically walking into a trap, delivering oneself to the door?

In response, Ye Zhangqing merely had them assist the Great Martial Empire in defending the border city, and nothing else needed worrying about.

Upon hearing this, the three alliance leaders, though helpless, could only nod and agree.

Upon learning Ye Zhangqing's identity, this steward was also extremely respectful, after all he is a Saint-grade Spirit Chef, the treasure of the entire Spirit Chef Alliance, and the three alliance leaders treat him with such courtesy—how could a petty steward dare to be negligent?

So without Ye Zhangqing having to say anything, the steward voluntarily arranged everything.

"Young Master Ye, although I can bring you into Huánggōng, after all I am merely a steward; many things I truly have the will but lack the power."

Looking at Ye Zhangqing before him, the steward also spoke frankly, fearing that he wouldn't be able to help Ye Zhangqing and would ruin the other's important affair.