"As long as you do not go to a pleasure quarter, this humble monk can accompany you anywhere."
When Xiao Chen heard that, he felt somewhat apologetic. Sorry … the place I want you to go is really a pleasure quarter.
However, Xiao Chen could not be blamed for this. Even if he used his toes to think, he knew that the Smiling Daughter Pavilion coming to seek him out would not be for anything good.
According to the information that Xiao Chen obtained, the Smiling Daughter Pavilion was very close to the First Prince Wang Fei. Furthermore, the First Prince happened to be the Bountiful Treasure Pavilion's backer.
The Smiling Daughter Pavilion invited Xiao Chen for a gathering for no reason.
It might have something to do with this. If Xiao Chen had Yuan Zhen's company, it might be of some unexpected use when necessary.
"Benefactor Xiao, when are we leaving?"
Yuan Zhen asked somewhat impatiently. He had been waiting for the Ethereal Immortal Palace key for a long time already.
It was rare for Xiao Chen to make a vow. With this guarantee, it would naturally be faster.
"There's no rush. The appointed time is tonight."
Xiao Chen showed a calm expression as he asked softly, "Speaking of which, how much do you know about the Yanwu Dynasty's princes?"
When Yuan Zhen heard that, he looked at Xiao Chen warily. Then, he asked, "Why are you asking this? Could it be that you want to participate in the succession race?"
After sizing up Xiao Chen for a while, Yuan Zhen seemed to understand something. "That's right. With your strength and status, you are barely qualified to participate in the succession race. However, you have to think this through. A large part of the reason why no one has made a move on you is that you have not chosen a side.
"Once you choose a side, you will cross the bottom line of the other princes. You have to think carefully about the consequences you will face at that time."
Xiao Chen raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Unexpectedly, you seem to understand my current situation rather well."
"Haha! You just arrived, and you already killed Duke Yun's son. Before coming to the Misty Rain Pavilion, I heard that you forced away the seven merchant associations, cutting off their Heavenly Alliance supply. Your actions are getting bigger and bigger. It would be hard for me not to know about it. "
Yuan Zhen smiled faintly, not hiding his understanding of Xiao Chen.
"It looks like the Hidden Spirit Temple is not as detached as I imagined. The Hidden Spirit Temple probably knows all the matters of the entire dynasty, no matter big or small. Tell me, which princes have the highest chance of becoming the Crown Prince? "
Yuan Zhen thought for a while before replying calmly, "Born in the mundane world, who can transcend the world with a body of flesh and blood? Right now, the ones with the most hope to become the crown prince are naturally the First Prince Wang Fei, the Eighth Prince Wang Feng, and the Thirteenth Prince Wang Yi. "
"The First Prince is the oldest and is steady and polite. The imperial ancestral temple's patriarchs like to respect the older generation. This is his greatest reliance. The Eighth Prince, Wang Feng, had the most outstanding talent. Behind him was the Divine Sword Pavilion, and many Rank Seven Sects supported him. The Thirteenth Prince Wang Yi's mother was the current Empress Yan. He was doted on at a young age and was the favorite of Yan Huang. If Yan Huang could make its own decisions, it would definitely pass the throne to the Thirteenth Prince. A pity that it can't. "
"As for the other princes, there is no lack of ambitious people. Unfortunately, their background and henchmen are a bit lacking. They can't compare to these three popular princes."
Xiao Chen thought for a while before saying, "Based on what you said, barring any unexpected surprises, the next Yan Emperor will be one of these three princes?"
"Yes, that is what the Hidden Spirit Temple thinks."
The two chatted for a long time. After Yuan Zhen's introduction, Xiao Chen gained a new understanding of the Yanwu Dynasty's Royal Court.
"The succession race has already reached the final stage of preparation. At that time, all the princes will be required to participate in it. They will enter the Yan Emperor's secret realm and accept the test passed down by the ancestors. The final victor will be the Yan Emperor's crown prince. "
Yuan Zhen thought for a long time before saying, "It is best that you do not participate rashly. Every succession race involves the factions of the entire Great Thousand Realms. The Bushin Palace, the Profound Heaven Holy Land, and the Universe Origin Sect will pay attention and even participate personally.
"The Hidden Spirit Temple has a rather special relationship with the Royal Court. It is not like the Universe Origin Sect and the Profound Heaven Holy Land, which directly govern the dynasty. Hence, the Yanwu Dynasty's succession race will attract the various factions to place their bets, attracting the attention of the entire Martial Epoch. "
Yuan Zhen's words implied that Xiao Chen was alone. It was not realistic for him to participate in the succession race.
However, Xiao Chen smiled faintly and did not argue. He did not want to participate.
However, the situation forced him to. He needed to understand.
When Xiao Chen looked at the sky, it was already dark. The Misty Rain Pavilion slowly turned lively.
Xiao Chen stood up and said, "Let's go. It is time for us to keep our appointment."
As Yuan Zhen left, he hid his entire head in his hood, lest someone recognize him.
The Hidden Spirit Temple held a transcendent position in the Yanwu Dynasty. It was even deified by the ordinary people.
If Yuan Zhen were recognized, it would definitely cause a huge commotion in the entire Yanwu Dynasty. A monk visiting a pleasure quarter, furthermore, an esteemed monk of the Hidden Spirit Temple …
After leaving the Misty Rain Pavilion, Yuan Zhen felt much more relaxed.
"Being outside is still the best. Staying in here is really uncomfortable," Yuan Zhen sighed from the bottom of his heart as he let out a long breath.
Xiao Chen could not bear to tell Yuan Zhen that they were going to the Smiling Daughter Pavilion, which was even more famous than the Misty Rain Pavilion.
Yuan Zhen led the way without saying a word.
Compared to Xiao Chen's silence, Yuan Zhen appeared more relaxed, showing an indistinct smile on his face.
Xiao Chen would soon obtain the Ethereal Immortal Palace key. It would be hard for him not to be happy.
No matter how long the road was, it would come to an end eventually.
The magnificent Smiling Daughter Pavilion, which was brightly lit in the night, looked like a resplendent pearl.
The Smiling Daughter Pavilion occupied the most bustling place in the imperial capital Yan City, bustling with people and carriages.
"Benefactor Xiao, why did you stop?"
When Yuan Zhen saw a pleasure quarter, he turned somewhat nervous. His expression turned somewhat unsightly as he said, "Don't tell me that you are going to the Smiling Daughter Pavilion?"
"Honestly speaking, that is the place."
"Xiao Chen, you bastard! Are you trying to trick me again?!"
Yuan Zhen cursed with a somewhat distorted expression, feeling frustrated. No matter what schemes Xiao Chen had, given Yuan Zhen's self-restraint and cultivation, he rarely showed his emotions on his face.
This was especially so when he was angry.
But this time around, he couldn't help but curse out loud.
"Alright, it's my fault for not being clear. Wait here for a while. After I come out, I will hand the Ethereal Immortal Palace key to you."
Seeing Yuan Zhen's expression, Xiao Chen thought for a while. This was indeed making things difficult for Yuan Zhen.
Forcing a monk to enter a pleasure quarter with him was somewhat inexcusable.
"May Buddha! May Buddha! I have sinned! I have sinned! To think that I violated the precepts of anger. My Buddha-nature …"
Yuan Zhen chanted a few times. When he saw that Xiao Chen was about to leave, he struggled for a moment before calling out to stop Xiao Chen.
"Wait. I'll accompany you in. However, I have to make this clear first. I will not help you with anything. I will just accompany you in. You cannot ask me to do anything. "
When Xiao Chen heard that, he smiled and said, "That's easy. You are in charge."
"Let's go, then."
Even though Yuan Zhen said that, he still showed an unsightly expression. He retracted his neck further into his hood.
Just at this moment, Xiao Chen glanced around and saw the dirty beggar from back then.
This beggar sat at the edge of the Smiling Daughter Pavilion, eating roasted chicken and drinking wine. He grinned as he watched the guests enter and leave.
A thought occurred to Xiao Chen. He walked over and took out a bottle of wine to hand to the beggar.
This was the Dragon Race's strongest alcohol, Heart Burn. The dirty beggar did not care. He opened the bottle and tried to drink it.
Xiao Chen quickly stopped him and said, "This wine is too strong. If you can advance to Sovereign Emperor in the future, drink it. The benefits will be boundless."
"Haha! It turns out that I can't drink this lousy wine before advancing to Sovereign Emperor?"
The beggar mocked. Then, he said carelessly, "In that case, I'll return it to you. This beggar doesn't want it anymore."
When Yuan Zhen heard that, he thought to himself, This beggar does not look like an ordinary person when he smiles. Unfortunately, he is not sensible.
Since it is a strong wine, if I guessed right, it should be the Dragon Race's strongest alcohol, Heart Burn. Back then, Xiao Chen used this wine to make a name for himself at the Peach Blossom Gathering.
Many Sovereign Emperors sought it, yet Xiao Chen gave it to a beggar. Furthermore, the beggar boasted shamelessly.
Xiao Chen did not take it. He said seriously, "Even if you can't drink it, it will be useful to you. I want to ask you about someone. Three days ago, you captured a person and left. I want to know where that person is now. "
The person that the beggar captured that day looked familiar to Xiao Chen. However, he did not see him clearly.
"Are you talking about that foolish brother of mine? Hahaha! There's no need to look. Just stand here and don't move. You will see him soon."
"Plop!"
Right after the beggar spoke, someone tossed a figure down from the building like a sandbag. Wounds covered the person's body, making him appear in a sorry state.
The nearby cultivators felt that the Smiling Daughter Pavilion was not in the right. They laughed coldly and strode into the Smiling Daughter Pavilion.
"It's that fool again. He gets chased out every two or three days. How pitiful."
"Speaking of which, it is strange. If it were someone else causing trouble like this, the Smiling Daughter Pavilion would have silenced them long ago. It is a miracle that this person is still alive."
"Who cares? Quickly go and reserve a spot. The headliner Ling Long is performing today!"
The beggar guffawed and pointed to the person in the middle of the road. "What did I say? Hehe! I was just talking about my foolish second brother. Bang! He fell down! "
Xiao Chen walked over step by step, his expression growing increasingly doubtful. When he got close, he felt greatly startled.
When that person in a sorry state turned his head and saw Xiao Chen, he also felt shocked.
"Martial Uncle!"
This person with a swollen face, covered in wounds, and in a sorry state was Xiao Chen's martial nephew, Ling Yu, from the Grave Sea Cluster's Purple Flame Sect.
As the saying went, it was a small world. Xiao Chen had not expected to see Ling Yu in such a situation.
"Martial Uncle, Martial Nephew embarrassed you …"
Perhaps Ling Yu was too excited, or perhaps he had been wronged for too long, but his eyes immediately turned moist.
Ling Yu sounded like he was about to cry, looking very pitiful.
"How did you end up like this? Quickly, get up."
Xiao Chen asked sullenly as he pulled Ling Yu up.
"I want to see Elder Sister Ling Long, but they won't let me in. Martial Nephew feels bitter in his heart!"
Ling Yu did not have many relatives. To him, Xiao Chen was even closer to him than a senior in the sect.
Now that Ling Yu saw Xiao Chen, all sorts of emotions welled up in his heart.
Xiao Chen snorted coldly and said, "I'll bring you in. Let's see who dares to stop you."
"Really?"
"Martial Uncle, when did I boast? There are many places in the world that I cannot bring you to. However, this Smiling Daughter Pavilion is definitely not one of them!"
Xiao Chen felt some anger in his heart. No matter how deep the accumulations of the Smiling Daughter Pavilion are, in the end, it is still a pleasure quarter.
Since when can a pleasure quarter bully others like this?
"Martial Uncle, Martial Uncle, bring me in. Even a beggar would like to visit a pleasure quarter."
Suddenly, Xiao Chen felt like a pair of tongs clamped down on his feet.
He lowered his head and looked. That beggar had secretly poured down an entire bottle of Heart Burn. His face flushed red, and his body felt like burning charcoal.
The beggar appeared drunk, smiling like a flower as he grabbed Xiao Chen's leg, unwilling to let go.
"Big Brother, you are drunk. This is my martial uncle," Ling Yu quickly corrected when he saw the situation.
"I'm … not … drunk. I'm your big brother, so your martial uncle is my martial uncle. The seniority is not messed up. Martial Uncle, bring me in. Even a beggar would like to visit a pleasure quarter. Hahahaha!"
Xiao Chen felt a headache coming on. He looked at Ling Yu and asked, "How did you get to know this beggar?"
"Martial Uncle, he saved my life once. Then, he insisted that I acknowledge him as my big brother. Since then, he has been following me," Ling Yu explained as simply as he could.
Never mind. Since he saved Ling Yu's life before, there is no need to dwell on the other party's rudeness.
"Yuan Zhen, help him up. Let's go in together."
Yuan Zhen looked regretfully at the empty bottle in the beggar's hand. A bottle of Heart Burn was gone, just like that.
"Brat, you have been sneakily eyeing my wine. Are you trying to steal my wine? Never mind. This beggar will treat you to a drink."
After Yuan Zhen helped the beggar up, he suddenly poured the bottle of wine into Yuan Zhen's mouth.
Yuan Zhen immediately panicked, feeling somewhat at a loss. I drank … Why did I not react? I … I … I really drank!
I broke the precepts again!
"Hey, why is it so smooth …" the beggar said, finding it strange when he saw the mysterious phenomenon under the hood. Taking advantage of Yuan Zhen's dazed state, he extended his hand.
Then, he chuckled, "Hehe! It really is a bald head. Hahahaha! This beggar understands now. You are a flirtatious monk. Hahahaha! A flirtatious monk! A flirtatious monk wants to visit a pleasure quarter. Everyone, quickly come and take a look … "
Fortunately, the beggar was already drunk, so his words were unclear.
However, this startled Yuan Zhen half to death, startling him back to his senses. Then, he quickly covered the beggar's mouth.
As Yuan Zhen watched Xiao Chen and Ling Yu walk over, he felt like crying, but no tears would come out.
In one day, Yuan Zhen had broken two precepts. First, he abstained from anger. Then, he abstained from alcohol. Had he known earlier, he would have given up on the Ethereal Immortal Palace key.
"You are not allowed to speak. If you speak again, I will leave you here. Do you hear me?"
Yuan Zhen saw the beggar nod a few times before putting down his hand. Then, he helped the beggar to catch up to Xiao Chen.
The beggar was very drunk, smiling continuously. Although he did not say that he was a flirtatious monk, he occasionally reached out to touch Yuan Zhen's bald head.
A monk who wanted to cry but had no tears, a drunken beggar, a wronged infatuated woman, and Xiao Chen.
This was a combination that the Misty Rain Pavilion's master could not imagine.
Just like that, they headed for the brightly lit Smiling Daughter Pavilion, the jewel of Yan City, without looking back.
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