Chapter 275: Meeting the Queen

"Hahahaha!"

Shangguan Xiao suddenly burst into loud laughter, her voice filled with grief and indignation.

Li Fei watched her laugh in silence, able to understand her state of mind.

"Do you know? My father valued this family above all else in his life, yet in the end, he died at the hands of his own people!"

Shangguan Xiao reined in her laughter and said coldly.

"Actually, it could also be someone from the Stop-the-War General Academy."

Li Fei offered a word of comfort.

It was not necessarily family members who could have long-term contact with Zhang Zongyang; people from the Stop-the-War General Academy also had that possibility.

"If it really were someone from the Stop-the-War General Academy, the results of the investigation should have been out by now."

Shangguan Xiao shook her head, her gaze icy as she spoke.

She was very intelligent and had seen through the essence of the matter at a glance.

There could not be many people in the Stop-the-War General Academy who had long-term access to Zhang Zongyang and the motive to poison him; if it really were someone from the academy, there should at least be a preliminary conclusion by now.

Since there wasn't, it meant that in all likelihood, it was not someone from the Stop-the-War General Academy, but someone from the Zhang family!

After Zhang Zongyang died, the major factions were like a pack of wolves fighting over meat, all constantly "devouring" the Zhang family's assets, and the government maintained a tacit attitude toward this, which had actually led to many malicious conspiracy theories circulating among the public.

It was only because the assets of the Zhang family currently being annexed were all being taken in secret that the matter had not blown up.

Under these circumstances, if the government were to suddenly make public arrests and investigate members of the Zhang family, the matter would very likely head toward another extreme—

The government and the Jianghu factions joining forces to persecute the Zhang family! Persecuting the family of a helmsman who had just passed away!

Once the matter blew up, it could become very embarrassing, which was something the high-level officials of Datong Prefecture were unwilling to see.

So even though the Inspection General Academy, the Stop-the-War General Academy, and the Supervision General Academy had already obtained the autopsy results, they did not publicly investigate the members of the Zhang family.

They could only investigate in secret.

Li Fei guessed that the reason Xia Huan had let Lu Mengyang tell him the autopsy results might also be because he wanted him to secretly tell Shangguan Xiao, letting her also investigate in the shadows.

After all, Shangguan Xiao was the least likely of all the Zhang family members to have plotted against Zhang Zongyang.

"Aunt-Master, what do you plan to do next?"

Li Fei hesitated for a moment before asking.

With the knowledge that it might have been a member of the Zhang family who killed Zhang Zongyang, would Shangguan Xiao still want to protect such a family?

Such a choice was too cruel.

Li Fei did not know what he would choose if it were him.

Shangguan Xiao closed her eyes and remained silent for a long time.

Then she opened her eyes and said, word by word: "I must at least fulfill his last wish!"

Li Fei nodded.

He understood; Shangguan Xiao was still going to help the Zhang family weather this crisis.

"With today's battle and the Chu family keeping vigil at the Zhang residence for three days, perhaps it can make the various factions slow down a bit; we can take advantage of this time to do something else."

Li Fei analyzed calmly.

Today's battle, combined with the Chu family's vigil, could at most make the various factions slightly wary, but it certainly wouldn't scare these people away.

In fact, even if Zhang Zongyang were still alive, if the six major factions among the "Seven Kings" joined forces against the Zhang family, the Zhang family still wouldn't be able to stop them; it was just that with Zhang Zongyang present, the Zhang family could at least severely damage one or two of the factions.

And because of Zhang Zongyang's status, the Jianghu factions dared not make a move against him at all; as long as he was alive, the Zhang family had a chance to make a comeback and a possibility of retaliating.

This was the reason why no one had dared to touch the Zhang family for the past few decades.

Now that Zhang Zongyang was dead, the Zhang family's deterrent power was greatly reduced and they were very likely to collapse just like that, with no possibility of retaliation, so the major factions were naturally scrambling to "fight for the meat."

Therefore, to help the Zhang family weather this crisis, the most important point was to find a new, powerful pillar of support for them, to make the major factions feel fear, not just wariness!

Shangguan Xiao looked at Li Fei; perhaps if she gave this nephew of hers a few more years, he could grow into such a figure, could become a powerful pillar of support, but right now, he was still far from enough.

"I will find a way to get transferred back to the prefecture city."

Shangguan Xiao stated her solution.

She was the First Venerable of the Stop-the-War Academy in Xingcheng; if she were transferred back to Datong Prefecture city, even if it were a lateral transfer, it would actually be a loss, because "a county official is not as effective as the one in charge," and being an 11th-rank official at the Stop-the-War General Academy in Datong Prefecture city was not as good as being in charge of a region in Xingcheng.

According to the path Zhang Zongyang had paved for her before his death, she should have been the First Venerable in Xingcheng for at least five years, cultivating her own direct subordinates, managing the Xingcheng Stop-the-War Academy into her own "base camp," and only after arranging her "successor" would she be promoted to Datong Prefecture city.

This way, she would not only get a promotion but also have powerful support behind her.

But Shangguan Xiao intended to transfer back to Datong Prefecture city now; this was undoubtedly a choice that resulted in a massive loss!

Yet if she did not return, being far away in Xingcheng, she would have no way to provide the Zhang family with powerful support.

Therefore, this was the only way.

"Actually..."

Li Fei started to speak but stopped.

"What is it?"

Shangguan Xiao looked at him.

Li Fei smiled: "It's nothing. Aunt-Master, you should rest first. I'm heading back to the academy; I will continue to gather information from the Inspection General Academy."

"Alright, thank you for your hard work."

Shangguan Xiao nodded.

Afterward, Li Fei left the guesthouse.

He walked into a maze of streets with complex terrain and began to circle around.

More than an hour later, having confirmed no one was following him, he changed his attire at a former stronghold left behind by the Tiger Blade Gang—

A black martial robe, a cyan demon mask, and the transformed Ghost-Slaying Blade.

After several months, the Cyan-Faced Ghost had reappeared in Datong Prefecture city!

Night fell.

Fenghua Street was a scene of glitz and glamour; seventeen dance halls were decorated with lanterns and colored streamers, the various lights flickering and reflecting off the night in a riot of color.

These seventeen dance halls were all considered top-tier brothels, belonging to a type of "light-singing small troupe."

These were all properties of one of the "Seven Kings," the "Queen" Feng Sanniang.

A few months ago, when Li Fei first entered Datong Prefecture city as the Cyan-Faced Ghost, after he entered the "Beast King's" Human-Face Manor alone and walked out unscathed, Feng Sanniang had someone send him an invitation (see Chapter 137 of Volume 1).

At the time, Li Fei told the messenger that if there was an opportunity, he would pay a visit.

In the months that followed, he had never gone.

Tonight, he intended to go.

To meet this queen of the pleasure quarters!

When Li Fei appeared on Fenghua Street in his Cyan-Faced Ghost attire, the news spread immediately.

In the largest dance hall on Fenghua Street, Feng Sanniang also received the news.

"Coming to see me at a time like this?"

She used her jade-like fingers to gently pick up a grape and put it into her mouth, saying somewhat languidly.

"Sanniang, do you wish to see him?"

The beautiful woman who brought the message asked.

In fact, during this recent period, Feng Sanniang's forces had also been making moves against the Zhang family, and the Cyan-Faced Ghost seemed to be an ally of that Shangguan Xiao.

"I will see him. Since the invitation was sent out, naturally I must see him. Go and prepare."

Feng Sanniang smiled.

Over the years, anyone she had granted a private audience to, as long as they didn't die, had without exception become a big shot in Datong Prefecture!

"Yes."

The subordinate withdrew.

A few minutes later, someone led Li Fei into this largest dance hall on Fenghua Street.

"Young Master Cyan, please."

The young girl leading the way had skin like white snow and looked like a piece of mutton-fat jade, making one's heart flutter.

She led Li Fei to an elevator, bowed slightly, and spoke to him.

"Young Master Cyan?"

Hearing this form of address, a smile appeared on Li Fei's face beneath the mask.

The Jianghu people in Xingcheng called him the Cyan-Faced Ghost King, and the people at the Qingyuan Property Management Company, under the influence of Liu Saner, called him Master Ghost.

This was the first time he had heard the title "Young Master Cyan."

He stepped into the elevator, the doors slowly closed, and it began to ascend.

Upon reaching the top floor, the sixth, the elevator doors opened and Li Fei stepped out.

Outside was a corridor covered with a dark red carpet; the walls on both sides were hung with landscape paintings and calligraphy, and displayed porcelain that looked very expensive at a glance.

The young girl led Li Fei to the end of the corridor, pointed to a large white door in front, and said softly:

"Young Master Cyan, Sanniang is waiting for you inside."

"Alright."

Li Fei nodded and pushed open the door in front of him.

Inside was a very spacious room, decorated elegantly, with a guzheng, calligraphy and paintings, sandalwood tables, chairs, and bookshelves, and even a small bridge over a pool of clear green water, where many red koi were swimming.

The air was filled with a faint incense that, once smelled, made one feel subconsciously relaxed.

Directly in front was a screen, and behind the screen sat a person.

She must be the "Queen," Feng Sanniang.

Li Fei looked at the figure behind the screen in front of him and thought to himself.

"Young Master Qing has finally arrived, please sit."

A somewhat languid voice drifted from behind the screen.

Upon hearing this voice, Li Fei felt as if something had scratched his heart; it was itchy and somewhat restless.

"Is this her extraordinary ability?"

While speculating, Li Fei walked toward a wooden chair and sat down.

Feng Sanniang was able to control all the pleasure houses in the entire Datong Prefecture and be called the "Queen," standing shoulder to shoulder with the other major powers; naturally, she was no weakling.

She was also a powerhouse at the Dao Foundation realm, and she could even be ranked in the upper echelon of the Dao Foundation realm.

Aside from her own strength, what people admired most about this "Queen" was her ability to be adept at social intercourse and to bewitch people's hearts.

Her connections spanned the entire Datong Prefecture, and even the entire Feng Province!

From the Garrison Commander above to the experts of the pugilistic world below, both black and white paths, she could speak with them all, and there were people willing to take action for her, or even die for her.

This was actually the most formidable aspect of this "Queen"!

Many people speculated that besides her own charm, Feng Sanniang possessed an extraordinary ability to bewitch people's hearts.

Otherwise, if she only relied on her beauty to entertain others, she could not have moved so many heroes and overlords.

Li Fei was relying on the fact that he had the Myriad Blood Pearl, which was why he dared to come alone to see Feng Sanniang tonight.

He was not worried that he would be bewitched.

"Young Master Qing, please have some tea, tea I brewed myself."

Behind the screen, Feng Sanniang continued to speak.

Beside the wooden chair where Li Fei sat was a wooden table, upon which a full set of tea utensils was placed; tea had already been poured into the cup and was steaming.

"No need."

Li Fei said coldly, refusing directly.

"It seems Young Master Qing does not trust me, then why did you come to see me tonight?"

Feng Sanniang asked.

Her tone carried a hint of feigned reproach, making one subconsciously feel pity and feel as if they had done something wrong.

Li Fei remained unmoved and asked: "Does Sanniang know why I have come?"

"Coming to see me suddenly at this time, isn't it to discuss a partnership?"

Feng Sanniang asked.

Li Fei nodded: "It is indeed to discuss a partnership, however, I am not representing the Zhang family to seek a partnership with you."

"Oh?"

Feng Sanniang's voice remained languid, "Then are you representing the Qingyuan City Management Company? As far as I know, Yu Longqing just swallowed a batch of your company's goods, and now you should be worrying about what to feed those exotic beasts. Seeking a partnership with me, are you trying to solve this problem?"

Her information channels were very well-informed; besides that, her connections were also very extensive.

If there was anyone in Datong Prefecture besides the "Beast King" Yu Longqing who had the ability to procure large amounts of exotic beast feed, then it was most likely Feng Sanniang.

"I am seeking a partnership with you, not to ask for help in solving the problem of exotic beast feed."

Li Fei shook his head.

"Then what is it?"

Feng Sanniang finally showed a bit of interest.

"I want to join forces with you to wipe out Yu Longqing!"

Li Fei said, enunciating every word.

"."

The room went quiet.

Shangguan Xiao had urged Li Fei to bow his head to Yu Longqing so that business could continue, but Li Fei did not think so.

His idea was to simply finish off the "Beast King" directly!

This way, the problem would be solved permanently, and he would no longer be manipulated by others.

"They say one should speak something shocking or die trying; Young Master Qing has truly shocked me."

Feng Sanniang laughed, "But the problem is, why should I pass up the fat meat that is the Zhang family and go deal with the beast that is Yu Longqing instead?"

Li Fei looked at the screen and slowly stated his reasons:

"Now that the Iron Peak Sect has sealed its mountain, the strongest of the 'Seven Kings,' the 'Blade King,' should be unable to move for a long time to come. Added to the Zhang family's affairs, the current situation in Datong Prefecture is actually ripe for a reshuffle."

"Hmm."

Feng Sanniang agreed with Li Fei's point of view, but this reason alone was far from enough.

"Any major power that wants to grow must possess the ability to cultivate its own exotic beasts. It just so happens that the 'Beast King' has always monopolized the exotic beast feed business, which is essentially holding the lifeline of every faction. Don't you want to take this lifeline back?"

Li Fei continued.

"."

Feng Sanniang did not speak.

In truth, the major powers certainly did not want their lifelines held in someone else's hands, but it was only because the "Beast King" had taken the initiative and long since monopolized the exotic beast feed business that it was difficult for them to make a move.

Over these past years, Yu Longqing had never made things difficult for the major powers regarding exotic beast feed, and had even offered discounts, allowing the major powers to save quite a bit of money.

He was very smart and would not use this as a means of attack, but only for self-preservation.

Therefore, unless forced to, the major powers would not tear their faces off with him.

"I know everyone surely wants to hold the exotic beast feed business in their own hands, but they just cannot find a suitable opportunity to strike."

Li Fei said.

Feng Sanniang chuckled, her laughter bewitching to the bone:

"So Young Master Qing means that now is a very good time to strike?"

"That's right."

Li Fei nodded very seriously.

"Why?"

Feng Sanniang asked.

"Because he provoked me."

Li Fei said, enunciating every word.

There is another chapter tonight.

(End of chapter)