Chapter 60: Investigating the Tianyan Royal Family

Dai Zifu had a hobby: writing bizarre storybooks, like “My Never-Growing Master,” “Senior Sister, Let Me Go,” “He Abandoned Me on the Day of Ascension,” and so on.

But she never let anyone know. She’d secretly circulate her writings in the sect with an “Oh! How did this book get here!?” kind of attitude.

No one knew she was the author, and she reveled in the mystery of “You’re all discussing the author, never knowing it’s me standing right in front of you.”

Recently, Dai Zifu planned to write a story about a mortal and a cultivator. Her previous book had mentioned mortal brothels, so this time she decided to set the story in one.

The sect’s genius met a lowly girl in a brothel. One look, and it was love at first sight. She was desperate for salvation when she met the most dazzling him. Later, when they met again, he was the righteous leader, and she was the demonic sect’s supreme master…

Just thinking about it was thrilling!

At least, that’s what Dai Zifu believed…

So she seized the opportunity, dressed as a man, and visited the capital’s largest brothel, Zhenyue Tower, to scope out the environment, find a prototype for her heroine, and gather inspiration.

But who would have thought? She didn’t find the heroine—instead, she ran into…

…

“So, Junior Brother, why don’t you first tell me why you’re here too?”

Dai Zifu didn’t want to ruin her mysterious aura, so she quickly turned the question back on Luo Xing, changing the subject. Even if she was in a brothel, she was still a woman—at least she couldn’t and wouldn’t do anything weird. But Luo Xing was genuinely male…

“Uh… this…” Luo Xing was momentarily speechless, sweat beading on his forehead. “Uh… I… I’m here to… um…”

Damn!

What was he supposed to say?

That he came to see if a girl in the brothel had cultivation aptitude?

Even he wouldn’t believe that, let alone Dai Zifu!

“Uh… Ah! Investigating!” Luo Xing suddenly had a flash of inspiration. “Senior Sister! I’m here to investigate!”

He lowered his voice and said to her, “Senior Sister, you heard Zhao Chengyun today. People have been going missing in the capital too…”

According to him, the brothel was a place where all sorts of people mixed—whether the enemy wanted to hide or they wanted to investigate, it was the perfect choice.

Hearing Luo Xing’s explanation, Dai Zifu’s eyes lit up…

Sigh!

Good excuse!

She’d use it next time she came to a brothel for inspiration!

Seeing that Dai Zifu believed him, Luo Xing breathed a silent sigh of relief…

Thank goodness he’d watched plenty of wuxia dramas and novels—this excuse never failed!

“Right, so what about you, Senior Sister?” Luo Xing changed the topic. “Why are you here?”

And weren’t you supposed to be hers?

Coming to a place like this?

Could it be that she…

No way!

The original novel never mentioned this!

Was his sister going from a wolf’s den into a tiger’s mouth?!

Dai Zifu’s expression stiffened. “Uh… of course… same as you—I’m here to investigate too…”

She obviously couldn’t tell the truth—that she was gathering inspiration and scouting a heroine prototype. If that got out in the sect, not only would her mystique vanish, but her master, Pei Xianzi…

She’d really throw her into the alchemy furnace for a rebuild!

“Oh… oh… so you’re investigating too… then… have you found anything, Senior Sister?”

“Temporarily… um… not yet…”

“I see…”

“Yeah…”

They exchanged a glance, then silently looked away…

Luo Xing: ’Did she believe me? Even if she didn’t, no problem—I’ve got leverage. If she dares tell my sister, I’ll have a nice chat with Pei Xianzi… Sigh, but why is she really here? Could it be… No, I need to keep an eye on my sister…’

Though he wasn’t sure, better safe than sorry. What if Dai Zifu really had some weird hobby…

Sigh…

What was it with Luo Han’s constitution?

First Ye Li, now Dai Zifu—were they treating his sister like a mine?

At least Cloud Mist Peak still had the upright Chen Anqi…

Meanwhile, Dai Zifu was thinking the same thing…

Dai Zifu: ’Did he believe me? Even if he didn’t, no problem—if he dares say anything, I’ll tell the little junior sister that her brother went to a brothel!’

“Ahem…” Luo Xing cleared his throat, breaking the silence. “So, Senior Sister, are you going to continue investigating?”

“Mm… No need.” Dai Zifu gave a slight nod. “There doesn’t seem to be much to investigate here…”

“Then should we… head back?”

“Mm, let’s go back.”

…

The next day.

Luo Xing went to the Imperial Palace to investigate, while Dai Zifu and Luo Han conducted inquiries within the capital…

To be honest, he wasn’t comfortable leaving Dai Zifu and Luo Han together—the suspicion that she might be a “miner” hadn’t been cleared yet. But for dealing with the royal family, he was indeed more suitable.

“Fellow Cultivator Luo!” Zhao Chengyun had been waiting outside the palace gate since early morning. Seeing Luo Xing, he immediately cupped his hands in greeting. “You’re early! Have you had breakfast yet?”

Seeing Zhao Chengyun, Luo Xing couldn’t help recalling last night’s scene, and the corner of his eye twitched violently…

He’d have to find a chance to tell him that he really wasn’t into that sort of thing…

“Third Prince…” Luo Xing stepped forward with a smile. “Would it be convenient for me to ask about a few things?”

“Fellow Cultivator Luo, please speak freely.” Zhao Chengyun gave a generous smile. “My father said you are a distinguished guest of the Kingdom of Tianyan. There’s no request we wouldn’t grant.”

Regarding the Tianyan Royal Family’s blatant attempt to curry favor, Luo Xing had asked Dai Zifu earlier whether the Stellar Sect would have any objections.

Dai Zifu’s explanation was: Would you fight someone at your own level over a dish that didn’t matter?

To the Stellar Sect, the Kingdom of Tianyan was just one of many insignificant vassal states. If they had the ability to ally with a sect of comparable strength, let them—as long as they kept paying their dues. And whether they succeeded in forming that alliance was another matter…

“Mm, then let’s head into the palace first.” Luo Xing nodded. “We’ll talk as we walk.”

…

Once Luo Xing entered the Imperial Palace, Zhao Chengyun understood his purpose for the day.

“So…” Zhao Chengyun frowned, his expression grave. “You suspect… the Tianyan Royal Family?”

“Yes.” Luo Xing nodded. “The only ones who could pull off so many things right under your noses, without anyone noticing, are either evil cultivators or you people in high positions with power that reaches the heavens.”

Though he didn’t fully trust the Tianyan Royal Family, if they were involved, it was only a matter of time before they were suspected. Even if it wasn’t Luo Xing, someone else would have doubted them.

So Zhao Chengyun didn’t show any displeasure at Luo Xing’s blunt suspicion. He only grew more solemn…