Chapter 180: Sleeping Soundly Inside a Coffin! What Bad Luck!

180. Chapter 180: Sleeping Soundly Inside a Coffin! What Bad Luck!

"General Qi? The Qi Family Army?"

Chu Yang's eyes lit up; the Qi Family Army actually still existed in this world, and he had never paid attention to any court news, so he didn't know of Qi Jiguang at all.

In theory, the Ming Empire itself is already chaotic, so the appearance of anyone is not surprising.

"You also know General Qi?" Qian, the boss, was somewhat surprised, but quickly switched to an admiring expression and praised: "General Qi is truly formidable; the coastal regions are constantly raided by Wokou pirates, and without General Qi, the common folk could never live in peace."

"Not only the Wokou, General Qi also led a great army to slay many great demons, securing the region's safety. Had they not left, Jinling City probably wouldn't have gotten rid of this chaos."

Li Ge Xiao couldn't tell if it was an illusion, but he always felt that Qian's words carried a hint of clenched teeth.

It seems General Qi gave those demons a lot of trouble! "Hearing this from you, I guess he must be a good general," Chu Yang smiled and said meaningfully.

Qian didn't catch the subtext, showed a flattering smile, and flattered: "What you say is true, you and General Qi truly appreciate heroes!"

The carriage jolted along, and the mass burial mound outside the city grew nearer; the driver perched on the pole didn't notice a huge creature trailing far behind.

Its verdant eyes in the night resembled ghostly flames, chillingly terrifying!

The silvery wolf fur flickered in and out under the moonlight.

After an unknown amount of time, the carriage's speed kept decreasing.

Finally it came to a slow halt, and the massive silhouette in the night vanished at the same moment.

"We've arrived!"

Qian, the boss, was the first to dismount, his plump body leading the way, followed closely by Chu Yang and Li Ge Xiao.

The driver raised his lantern high, its light illuminating the surroundings.

In the next second, they saw row upon row of desolate graves, and black coffins scattered haphazardly around.

"Gentlemen, this is the place; you should lie down quickly and wait for the people from the Extreme Bliss Tower."

Qian bowed respectfully, then prepared to leave.

Chu Yang grabbed his shoulder in one hand and laughed: "Shopkeeper Qian, since you're already here, why not lie down with us and see for yourself what the famed Extreme Bliss Tower is like!"

Qian's body trembled, stammering: "Let's not do that; I'm too old to endure the trouble, and I might become a burden later."

Li Ge Xiao said coldly: "It's not like we're sending you to fight; just play there and buy us time to locate Lu Xiaofeng and Hua Manlou."

Qian outwardly pretended to be reluctant, but secretly calculated that, given the current situation, accompanying them to the Extreme Bliss Tower would be fine—he could personally bury them there.

"You two must guarantee my safety!"

Qian cowered and slipped into a coffin. His fearful expression would surely make onlookers pity him.

He played the part quite well.

Li Ge Xiao, too lazy to treat it as a show, kicked the coffin lid away and sealed the coffin.

"I've never lain in a coffin in my life; I didn't expect to have a chance to try it today and see what it feels like."

Chu Yang sang softly as a gentle wind blew away the dust inside the coffin, then quietly lay down, smoothly covering his own coffin; the whole process was as fluid as flowing clouds.

"Young master, you seem quite experienced," Li Ge Xiao teased, then, imitating Chu Yang, laughed as he covered his own coffin.

Only when the coffin finally sealed did Li Ge Xiao feel a sense of oppression—not just because the coffin's interior was cramped, making it hard for his stature to move, but also because the darkness inside was as still and silent as an abyss.

That feeling of being tightly wrapped by unresponsive darkness was truly unbearable.

"It's fine, just endure it a little longer."

While Li Ge Xiao comforted himself, he hadn't imagined that Chu Yang next to him was already snoring loudly.

There's nothing to fear at all.

Just treat it as camping; even if the tent is a bit small, it doesn't matter—just sleep, that's all, since there's nothing else to do.

Time ticked by second by second; lying in the coffin, Li Ge Xiao felt like he was sitting on a bed of needles, almost unable to hold back and burst out, and at that moment he felt the entire coffin start to float.

Faint footsteps sounded, and the coffin swayed left and right like a ship on the sea.

"Someone's carrying a coffin! The people from the Extreme Bliss Tower have arrived!"

Li Ge Xiao felt exhilarated, casting all discomfort aside, intent only on unleashing a bloodbath once they reached the destination, venting all the suffocation from the coffin.

Meanwhile, Chu Yang slept even more soundly, the surroundings rocking like a cradle.

Under the moonlight, six black silhouettes carried three coffins, rushing forward; upon close inspection, it's clear that none of the six silhouettes have legs!

The six coffin‑carrying shadows aren't human!

After they left, a huge wolf‑dog silently appeared at the mass burial mound; the wolf‑dog twitched its nose, pinpointed the location by scent alone, and followed again.

On the other side in Jinling City, Yan Nantian was practicing swordsmanship in a manor, while Jiang Feng sat on a stone bench beside him, drinking and watching his elder brother train.

Yan Nantian's Bridal Divine Art must be started over from scratch; he doesn't know how long it will take, and to protect his sworn brother's entire family, he cannot waste a single moment.

Fortunately, the reconstruction process was easier than he imagined; the previously fierce true Qi in his body became gentle, finally allowing his mind to follow his will.

"Prince, you were right; to harness its benefit, first blunt its edge. After undergoing a reconstruction, I understand the Bridal Divine Art much better, and my cultivation speed now is incomparable to before!"

"If this continues, I may soon return to my peak, perhaps even advance further."

Yan Nantian set the mysterious iron greatsword aside, laughed heartily, and walked toward Jiang Feng, who handed him a wine jug; he guzzled it down, his expression extremely delighted.

"His Highness the Wise King's martial cultivation is unfathomable, and he also knows the nature of our techniques; thinking of this now truly sends chills down my spine."

"These years I've been to the capital several times, heard rumors about this prince, but they bear no relation to his true appearance; I also wonder why this Wise King hides so deeply?"

Yan Nantian shook his head and sighed, "The court is treacherous and ever‑changing, even more elusive than the grudges of the jianghu."

"However, one thing is clear: the current Son of Heaven likely cannot tolerate the Wise King's existence; someday, His Highness the Wise King may be struck down by blade and axe."

"When that day comes, it will be my chance, Yan, to repay the favor!"

Jiang Feng looked at Yan Nantian in surprise, "Brother, do you mean to rebel against the Wise King?"

Yan Nantian calmly said, "These days the world needs someone like the Wise King to restore the realm; otherwise the Ming Empire's people would live forever under the shadow of demons and monsters."

Jiang Feng trembled all over, too frightened to speak.

"The world's top swordsman going to become a rebel would set the entire jianghu ablaze! Bang!"

Coffins thudded heavily onto the ground, jolting Chu Yang awake with a strong vibration; he reached out to push the coffin aside, and what met his eyes was a row of tall, hanging red lanterns.

A group of masked people had already surrounded the coffin; most of them brandished weapons, looking like thugs, and the two leaders held masks in their hands. "Please, the three of you put on the masks before entering the Extreme Bliss Hall."

The voice was cold as a machine, giving an intangible sense of oppression.

Chu Yang stood up, took a mask and placed it on his face; Li Ge Xiao and Qian Laoda did the same, and when they had their masks on, the people of the Extreme Bliss Hall led them inside.

In ancient times, those called 'Extreme Bliss' were nothing more than places for eating, drinking, prostitution, and gambling.

The moment Chu Yang entered, he smelled a familiar scent—a blend of rouge fragrance and specially made sandalwood, which had a stimulating effect; he often encountered this smell in the brothels of the capital.

However, the fragrance was also mixed with a faint demonic aura that ordinary people could not detect.

Although Li Ge Xiao had become decadent over the years, he only drank wine and had never entered a brothel for pleasure, so he was not sensitive to this smell; he merely thought it was somewhat pleasant.

The first floor was a gambling hall, with all kinds of pai gow, dice, even cricket fighting and stone‑betting venues; all around were frantic shouts, the losers wanting to win, the winners still wanting to win.

All were losers! The only true winners were the house, which took a cut from every round without laying any chips, earning steady profit.

Chu Yang knew this place like the back of his hand; during his years as a worthless prince in the capital, he was a regular at the gambling hall—when he ran out of money he would go to the palace to beg, never minding the emperor's wool he plucked.

The three stood beside a pai gow table; when someone lost all their chips and left, Chu Yang immediately took over, betting and drawing cards in one fluid motion, even making Qian Laoda stare in astonishment.

Lu Xiaofeng and Hua Manlou seemed temporarily forgotten by Chu Yang; he was wholly focused on the table, his eyes glued to the cards in his hand.

"Sir, we still have official business to attend to, don't we…?"

Qian Laoda wiped a bead of cold sweat from his forehead.

"He and I, one's a drunk, the other's a gambling fiend; when I see alcohol I can't move, when he sees a game he's the same. Let's wait a bit longer."

Li Ge Xiao lifted the wine gourd at his waist, took a sip, and nonchalantly sat at the edge of the table, ready to join at any moment.

Although he didn't know Chu Yang's intention, he trusted him unconditionally.

Qian Laoda was dumbfounded—what were these two up to?

Do the current Jinyi Guard act this casually now? Only after having fun do they go handle cases?

After waiting half a quarter‑hour, Qian Laoda saw Chu Yang remain motionless, not knowing what to do, and could only force a laugh, saying, "You two keep playing, I'll go to the latrine."

Li Ge Xiao waved his hand impatiently.

Qian Laoda silently withdrew from the first‑floor hall.

Then Li Ge Xiao's mind heard Chu Yang's voice, "When he returns, I'll find an excuse to leave; you keep him."

Li Ge Xiao nodded.

Meanwhile, as Qian Laoda left the hall, he turned left and right through the maze‑like Extreme Bliss Hall, displaying a familiarity with everything around him.

He arrived at a small attic and, standing at the doorway, respectfully said, "Master, two Jinyi Guard from Jinling City have arrived; I have brought them both."

A faint pink smoke suddenly filled the attic, followed by a delicate female voice, "The last time that guy with four eyebrows came, now it's Jinyi Guard again; it seems Jinling City can't stay any longer. If this continues, I fear the old scoundrel Zhuge will come looking for me personally!"

Qian Laoda flatteredly laughed, "Master, as long as you keep ingesting a bit more essence of desire, given time even old thief Zhuge won't be able to trouble you; a temporary grievance now is nothing."

A sigh rose from the attic, "If that nemesis from Yunjian Temple were willing to help me, why would I have to hide? I'd already have a full belly and eat cleanly."

Qian Laoda listened silently, daring not to interject; the Extreme Bliss Hall he had painstakingly built for his master was, in that person's eyes, aiding tyranny, and he constantly thought of smashing his own head with a palm.

"Speaking of which, Lu Xiaofeng and Hua Manlou have been remarkably resilient; even now they haven't lost themselves, but in just a day or two they'll collapse."

"Now you've sent two more Jinyi Guard; Heaven seems kind to me."

The female voice in the attic giggled mischievously, and Qian Laoda heard it like a demonic melody; his eyes turned blood‑red, and his breathing suddenly became rapid.

"You dog, do you dare try to crawl onto my bed?" A scolding snapped Qian Laoda back to reality; he knelt on the ground trembling, pounding his head in pleading.

But the next second, the voice softened again, lilting and syrupy, like a teasing flirtation.

"But… if you keep maintaining the Extreme Bliss Hall for me, this bed isn't off‑limits for you, heh heh heh."

Qian Laoda's desire flared; just from the tone he felt himself on the brink of ecstasy and death.

Half a quarter‑hour later, Qian Laoda returned to the first‑floor hall and saw Chu Yang cradling a thin‑silk‑clad wind‑blown woman; he was no longer at the gambling table.

At this moment the person handling the chips was Li Ge Xiao.

Chu Yang laughed, "Old Li, Qian Laoda, you two just gamble a few rounds here, I'll go have some fun with the miss."

Li Ge Xiao was completely indifferent, letting Chu Yang enjoy himself.

Instead, Qian Laoda said a bit anxiously, "Sir, aren't we supposed to find Hero Lu first?"

Chu Yang snapped, "What's the hurry? Lu Xiaofeng and the others might not even be in the Extreme Bliss Hall; let me play a while longer!"

He had played the role of a spoiled aristocrat for many years; his tone truly couldn't be genuine, and Qian Laoda could almost be sure those two Jinyi Guard were second‑generation nobles, inheriting their fathers' shadows to land this iron rice bowl.

Fine! Then I won't waste my effort.

You all sink deep into the Extreme Bliss Hall, unknowingly having your essence and desire siphoned away until you die weakly.

Qian Laoda sneered inwardly, put on a false smile and sat beside Li Ge Xiao, generously placing a bet for him.

Chu Yang embraced the beauty, and with his servant ascended to the second floor.

He tried to probe the Extreme Bliss Hall with sight, hearing, and color, but the obstacles were considerable, like in the Immortal Sword World, where demonic aura still interferes with dominant aura.

The two arrived at an empty room.

The pretty beauty, having just closed the door, turned and saw a pair of crimson eyes; the pupils contained a jade‑like gem that seemed to hold magic, sending her into a dazed state.

Using the Sharingan to control the opponent, Chu Yang left a clone behind and departed the room with Earth Subterranean Technique.

The Extreme Bliss Hall was built within a hollowed mountain cavity; the entire structure was encircled by rock, and with the aid of Earth Subterranean Technique, Chu Yang could appear anywhere unhindered.

Now there are two options: either rescue Lu Xiaofeng first, or directly steal the house and slay the great demon here.

It depends on whether Chu Yang meets Lu Xiaofeng first or the great demon in the attic.

After a tea‑time's worth of effort.

Chu Yang stood before a loft, pink demon‑mist blowing toward him.

"Tsk tsk tsk, your luck is truly poor!"

One man and one demon spoke in unison, "(This) chapter ends."