Chapter 105: Encirclement

Master Mu’s public questioning complicated things.

"Five hundred silver? Who gives a reward like that? Are you a shill for this tower, or are you just here to cause trouble!"

Inside the private room, Chen Ping’an’s expression was nonchalant.

"I’ll add as much as I want! To make such a fuss over a mere thousand-some silver in this backwater dump! And look at you, an old man still visiting a brothel. Be careful you don’t run out of steam before you can leave."

"You!"

Master Mu was so enraged by Chen Ping’an that his beard was practically standing on end.

"’You’ what? How dare you slander me! Do you have any idea who I am? One more word out of you, and I’ll have the Garrison Commandant’s Office drag you off to prison!"

Master Mu let out an infuriated laugh at Chen Ping’an’s words.

"The Garrison Commandant’s Office? You? What a joke! Where did a little bastard like you come from? Who do you think you are?!"

At first, he’d thought the boy was the young master of some prominent family, but now Master Mu was certain he wasn’t. ’Who talks like that?’

’I haven’t stolen anything, nor have I robbed anyone. And he’s going to have the Garrison Commandant’s Office arrest me and throw me in prison?’

"Not scared? Good! Good! Good!"

After saying "good" three times, Chen Ping’an turned to the servant in the room and unfastened the Jade Pendant from his waist.

"Take this Jade Pendant outside. My men are waiting there. Give it to them."

The servant hesitated, his eyes on the Jade Pendant.

"Take it! I’ll reward you handsomely!"

After handing the Jade Pendant to the Spring Rain Tower servant, Chen Ping’an addressed Master Mu.

"You just wait right there, old man. We’ll see if I can summon the men from the Garrison Commandant’s Office!"

"Fine, I’ll wait!"

Master Mu slapped the windowsill and responded loudly.

He really didn’t believe it.

’What does he think the Garrison Commandant’s Office is? A place he can command at will? Even the scions of the great families wouldn’t dare make such a boast.’

"Madam, hurry up and bring those three young ladies up to me. Don’t worry! You’ll get your reward silver! The one thing I’m not short on is silver."

Of course. When it was all just empty promises that never had to be paid, the one thing Chen Ping’an certainly didn’t lack was silver.

Madam Ruchun hesitated for a moment, glanced around, and finally agreed.

"Girls, go on up."

A faint smile touched Chen Ping’an’s lips as he watched the young women prepare to head upstairs.

’I was planning on finding some pretext to cause a scene, but I never expected someone to be this cooperative. It’s making things go so smoothly.’

The Jade Pendant at his waist had been provided by the Garrison Commandant’s Office; it was the prearranged signal. Two sharp constables were waiting outside the Spring Rain Tower. The moment the servant delivered the Jade Pendant, the constables already assembled at the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office would move out to surround the building.

Using a Spring Rain Tower employee to deliver the Jade Pendant was also part of his plan to lower their guard.

This way, even when they noticed the Garrison Commandant’s Office surrounding the place, they would be far less alarmed and wouldn’t suspect the true reason.

He had transformed a mission to raid a Ten Thousand Demons Sect stronghold into a petty squabble, with him—a rich young master—feuding with another patron, and the Garrison Commandant’s Office showing up to back his play.

Furthermore, Chen Ping’an’s sudden call to the Madam was a calculated move to divert her attention. By making her focus on him, he ensured the rest of his plan would unfold without a hitch.

In the private room, Chen Ping’an’s sudden arrogant reaction left Peony somewhat at a loss.

She was one of the tower’s Cultured Courtesans, which in some ways meant she was inexperienced.

Thankfully, Madam Ruchun arrived with several other girls, easing the tension in the room.

"Young Master Chen."

Madam Ruchun led them in a bow. Behind her, the three young women—Yu Lan, Peony, and Mengdie—all curtsied gracefully.

"Greetings, Young Master Chen."

"You may all rise."

Chen Ping’an lounged on the large chair, eyeing the young women with keen interest.

"Come now, over here. Join me for a few drinks."

"Yes, Young Master."

The three girls, smiling brightly, walked up to Chen Ping’an’s side.

"Come, Young Master, have a drink."

"Hahaha, you can pour for me."

Madam Ruchun sized up Chen Ping’an, guessing which family’s young master he was.

At first, she had wondered if the young man was just there to cause trouble. But seeing his noble air now, she dismissed the thought.

’He must be the young master of some great family, out for a bit of fun. Why was I so suspicious?’

Seeing the richly-dressed young master hitting it off with the girls, Madam Ruchun relaxed slightly.

"Young Master, the Jade Pendant has been delivered."

The Spring Rain Tower servant came in from outside the private room.

"Mm, good! Well done! You’ll be rewarded later!"

Chen Ping’an, busy enjoying himself with the women, spared the servant a quick glance.

"That so-called Master Mu really is courting death!"

Chen Ping’an’s arrogant demeanor put Madam Ruchun even more at ease. Still, ever cautious, she decided to probe him with a question.

"Young Master Chen, Master Mu is one of the most prominent men in this lane, and he has plenty of guards at his estate. Your status may be lofty, but if this escalates, it will only bring you unnecessary trouble."

"Trouble? Him? You think he’s worthy of causing me trouble?"

Chen Ping’an scoffed.

"He’s just some rich bumpkin from a forgotten corner, and he dares to cross me? If I don’t teach him a lesson, he’ll never learn how powerful I am."

"Yes, of course, Young Master Chen. Your background is formidable. It was presumptuous of me to speak," the Madam said hastily.

"Beauties, when my men arrive, don’t be afraid!"

Feeling the soft, full curves pressing against him, Chen Ping’an said with a playful grin.

"With you here, Young Master, I’m not afraid."

"I’m not afraid at all."

"..."

The girls burst into coquettish laughter, their bodies swaying with mirth.

...

"The time is ripe! Everyone, move out!"

Inside the Garrison Commandant’s Office, scores of constables stood in neat formation, ready and waiting.

At the head of the formation stood Inspector Shen Shikang. This case involved the Ten Thousand Demons Sect, making it a matter of grave importance. He was leading the operation personally.

"Remember: it’s better to make a wrongful arrest than to let anyone slip through. Not a single person in the Spring Rain Tower is to escape!"

"Yes, sir!"

The constables below responded in unison.

Led by the Inspector, the constables marched out of the Garrison Commandant’s Office and headed for the Spring Rain Tower on Willow Leaf Street.

Meanwhile, night patrol officers on Willow Leaf Street and in the surrounding alleys received their orders and took up positions, ready for action.

....

"Where did that brat pop out from! So arrogant! This is outrageous!"

Watching as Yu Lan, Peony, and Mengdie were led into Private Room Number Three, Master Mu was beside himself with rage.

"To dare use the Garrison Commandant’s Office to threaten me... Preposterous! So utterly preposterous! The man is lawless!"

"Master, calm down, please calm down. The Garrison Commandant’s Office is a vital arm of the Government. How could he possibly order them around?" a servant by his side spoke to comfort him.

"Just wait and see, Master. If no one from the Garrison Commandant’s Office comes, we’ll see how he gets himself out of this!"

"Hmph. I’d like to see what tricks this little whelp has up his sleeve."

Master Mu snorted. After a moment, his anger subsided slightly.

"Let’s be generous. Even if he has powerful connections, how many people could he possibly summon this late at night?"

"You’re right, Master. If that ’Young Master’ can summon even one official constable, I’ll be impressed!" the servant said, trying to curry favor.

He had barely finished speaking when a clamor erupted from downstairs.

"What’s all that noise?"

Puzzled, Master Mu looked out the window. He had a clear view of the first floor.

He saw a throng of constables from the Garrison Commandant’s Office streaming in. They were a solid black mass, the light glinting off their drawn blades—a terrifying sight.

"Garrison Commandant’s Office business! Everyone on the ground! Any who resist will be cut down where they stand!" a middle-aged man in black Fish Scale Armor bellowed.

"Is that... Fish Scale Armor?"

"The Inspector from the Garrison Commandant’s Office!"

Inside the private room, Master Mu froze, completely dumbfounded.

’We said a few people at most, so how did this end up involving an Inspector from the Garrison Commandant’s Office?!’