Chapter 1133: Blood Splattering in the Baimei Tower
Translator: Lordbluefire
Before the night curfew, Sun Mo rushed over to the Drunken Smoke Brothel. He didn’t make a move recklessly but entered as a guest to observe the situation first.
“Sir, is there a lady whom you like?”
A middle-aged woman who had makeup on immediately came to welcome him. This person was Drunken Smoke Brothel’s boss as well as the procuress.
Of course, the reason Sun Mo could receive special treatment from a character like this was that he was wearing the clothes of a recommended-candidate.
“I’ve heard from my classmate that your place’s Han Yan is excellent at playing the xiao[1] and thus I have come to pay a visit!”
Han Yan was the Drunken Smoke Brothel’s top courtesan. Ever since Pang Jili came back to his hometown to pay respect to his ancestors, he had hogged Han Yan to himself. Therefore, to find out where that bastard was, Sun Mo just needed to ask for Han Yan’s whereabouts.
“Han Yan is down with the flu these two days and is bedridden. Why don’t you change to another lady?”
The procuress smiled and recommended a few ladies to him.
“Is she really sick? Or is she attending to someone else?” Sun Mo stared at the middle-aged woman. “You don’t think I’m that easily fooled, right?”
“Oh my, you’ve misunderstood me. Am I a fool to not earn money that’s right in front of me?”
The middle-aged woman complained.
“Han Yan can’t be attending the Imperial Tutor Pang’s grandson, is she?”
Sun Mo let out a cold snort.
If an ordinary rich person were to ask this, the middle-aged woman would have lashed out directly. (Who are you to interfere in this?) However, in ancient times, scholars enjoyed dignified statuses, let alone a recommended-candidate.
Famous courtesans at brothels couldn’t be separated from these scholars if they wished to have a reputation. A famous poem could bring up the popularity of a famous courtesan.
“Go over there and take a look. Young Master Pang’s attendants aren’t around!”
The middle-aged woman pointed to the theater stage.
The attendants naturally didn’t have the right to enjoy the courtesans’ company in the rooms upstairs. Therefore, most of them would be on the first floor, watching the play.
Sun Mo’s brows raised slightly, and he sighed. “I’m only interested in Lady Han Yan. Since she’s sick, I’ll come again another day.”
As Sun Mo said this, he turned to leave. The middle-aged woman tried to persuade him otherwise but failed to do so. She couldn’t help but let out a soft curse.
Sun Mo left the Drunken Smoke Brothel and headed straight for the Baimei Tower.
This was a three-story restaurant that belonged to a merchant with the surname Gao on paper. However, it was actually the Pang Clan’s secret asset. After Pang Jili arrived, he modified this place into a private residence only for his use.
The women Pang Jili caught were mostly locked in here.
This was the information that the attendant had revealed.
Although he hadn’t checked out the place in advance, Sun Mo wasn’t a person with a poor sense of direction. He relied on this body’s memories of this county and quickly located this exquisite wooden building.
The Pang Clan had chosen to set this restaurant up in a more secluded place to avoid people’s eyes when doing bad things. However, this made it convenient for Sun Mo to commit murder now.
He climbed up a wall and looked inside.
The beef fat candle’s light was very bright and it was very noisy inside. Sun Mo saw an attendant who came out to relieve himself, and he was one of the people who had been with Pang Jili a few days ago. He finally believed that Pang Jili was in the Baimei Tower.
Sun Mo hid in the shadows, waiting for night to fall while checking his weapons. He also simulated the night assault in his mind.
How was he going to kill and how was he going to escape? If he were to come into a sudden encounter, how should he deal with the situation…
Finally, it was past midnight and the noise in the Baimei Tower became softer too.
It was said that this place was called Fragrance Residence in the past, and Pang Jili was the one who had changed its name to its current one. He had planned to use this place to house 100 beautiful ladies.
Sun Mo changed into rough clothing, used a handkerchief to cover up half his face, and then crossed the wall, with a longbow on his back and the Yanling Steel Blade on his waist. He secretly infiltrated the building.
Those attendants and guards were all very drunk, and many of them were already knocked out and asleep on the tables. Only a few of them were still chatting leisurely.
“That lady who was captured seven days ago is probably going to die tonight. Sigh, if only she had resigned herself to her fate earlier.”
“That’s right. After entering the Baimei Tower, there are only two ways to leave it. One is to become the young master’s woman, while the other is to be carried out as a corpse!”
“I wonder if we’ll be able to drink some soup[2] tonight!”
Someone said in anticipation.
Pang Jili would normally reward them with some women that he had gotten sick of. This was also a means for him to get his attendants to be loyal to him.
“If this was in the past, I’d definitely be waiting eagerly. But ever since I saw that Recommended-Candidate Sun’s wife, I’ve lost interest in this.”
“Pui, what right does that poor scholar have to marry such a beautiful woman? Just because he’s good at his studies?”
“To hell with him! We’ll all have a chance to play with his wife in a few days!”
As they said this, lewd laughter rang out.
Sun Mo had been hesitating whether he should spare these attendants and guards. But after hearing this, he decided to go all out.
“All of you can go to hell!”
Sun Mo pushed open the door softly.
Creak!
The door opened.
The attendants took a look and then drew their gazes back. One of the guards felt cold and thus walked over to close the door. However, his right hand had just landed on the door when he felt a chill in his chest. Then, an intense pain ran through his entire body.
Before he could let out an agonizing cry, a hand had covered his mouth.
The guy’s eyes opened wide as he looked at the bandit in horror. He was then quickly pulled out of the room.
(Who is this? To think that he dares to come to the young master’s manor to kill?)
“You must go through your reincarnation well. I’ll still want to kill you in the next lifetime!”
Sun Mo whispered in the guy’s ears. Then, he stirred his steel blade.
First one!
Sun Mo knew that after having killed someone, the stench of blood would attract attention. Therefore, he didn’t stop and quickly entered the room, arriving in front of the table in less than two seconds.
There were a total of 12 people, with five who weren’t knocked out yet. However, they were also very drunk and didn’t notice Sun Mo.
In fact, Pang Jili had been acting lawlessly for two years in this county, and even the constables no longer dared to come to them. This was why they were so relaxed.
Sun Mo swung his blade without saying a word.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
Even though Sun Mo’s physical attributes had weakened, the cultivation arts and moves he had learned were still with him. Killing a few attendants was as easy as slaughtering chickens or dogs.
As he raised his hand and brought the blade down, heads rolled onto the ground.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
An attendant was in a daze as he saw a steel blade chopping off Old Miao’s neck, sending a large amount of blood splattering onto his face.
It was very wet and warm, with a strong smell of blood.
Someone had died?
The attendant instinctively wanted to scream, but at the next instant, his head was also chopped into two, his brain matter and half of his skull landing onto the floor.
Sun Mo ended these people in less than two minutes. He then headed to the second floor.
There weren’t many sounds on the second floor. Sun Mo was worried that if he were to drag things out for too long, someone might discover the corpses on the first floor. Therefore, he headed straight for the third floor.
In his opinion, most noblemen or important people would be on the highest floor to enjoy themselves.
As expected, when he arrived on the third floor, he saw a big hall. There were cups and plates everywhere, and a maid was cleaning up the mess.
Sun Mo pounced over while she hadn’t noticed him and covered her mouth from behind her.
“Don’t scream! Otherwise, I’ll kill you!”
The maid’s body immediately stiffened up, not daring to move.
“Bring me to Pang Jili!” Sun Mo threatened, “If you dare to play any tricks, I’ll kill you!”
The maid’s legs turned to jelly from fright and couldn’t move. Left without a choice, Sun Mo could only let her point to the direction Pang Jili was in before knocking her out with the handle of his blade.
In the second room of the western wing…
Sun Mo stood outside the door and was about to knock when a woman’s agonizing cry rang out.
“You’re awake? How does it feel?”
Pang Jili smiled evilly. He then swung his leather whip again.
Pa! Pa!
“I beg you! Stop hitting me!”
The woman pleaded.
Sun Mo didn’t wait anymore and pushed open the door to enter.
“Which damned slave dares to disturb my fun?”
Pang Jili cursed. He then turned and saw a man who was dressed in rough clothing and had his face masked.
“Oh, a robbery?”
Pang Jili sized up Sun Mo. “But you seem to have come to the wrong place. If you scram now, I won’t hold it against you. Otherwise, I’ll eat your ears with my wine tomorrow!
“I’m here to seek revenge!”
Sun Mo said outright.
“Seek revenge?”
Pang Jili was stunned for a moment before he laughed. “I’m sorry, I have so many enemies that I can’t remember which one you are.”
“I am…”
Before Sun Mo finished his words, Pang Jili suddenly swung his whip toward him. “Men…”
Pang Jili had underestimated Sun Mo. Before his voice came out, a teacup smashed hard onto his mouth, filling it with blood as well as shattered teeth. The cry for help was also stopped.
Swoosh!
Sun Mo swung the long blade and smashed it onto Pang Jili’s back. He then took a few steps to his side, drawing out the short blade he had on him, slashing Pang Jili’s wrist that was grabbing onto the window.
Kacha!
A broken hand fell off.
Pa!
Sun Mo reached out and grabbed Pang Jili’s mouth. He then pressed Pang Jili against the wall.
“Who are you trying to fool with such petty tricks? And you must not have expected that today will be the day you die, right?”
Sun Mo pierced the blade into Pang Jili’s shoulder and twisted it.
Bang!
The room was banged open and a middle-aged man with a blade dashed in.
His name was Tang Ji and he was Pang Jili’s bodyguard. He was skilled in martial arts and when he saw that his master’s life was in danger, he immediately let out a loud bellow and came pouncing over.
“Evil-doer! Die!”
Sun Mo was unafraid and swept out his short blade horizontally at great speed, slashing Pang Jili’s face. He cut Pang Jili’s left and right face, reaching his ears and also crippling his tongue.
It was impossible for him to cry for help now.
Ding! Ding! Ding!
Sun Mo and Tang Ji slashed at each other.
“This evil-doer is a difficult one! Young Master, hurry up and leave!”
Tang Ji urged, his countenance very solemn.
This evil-doer’s strength was mediocre, but his blade technique seemed very refined.
They had only exchanged moves for a bit, but he had been slashed a few times.
“Holding a candle to the devil!”
Sun Mo’s gaze was icy-cold. After making a slanted move, the short blade slashed this bodyguard’s throat.
Ssss!
Fresh blood spurted very far, splashing onto Pang Jili’s face.
Pang Jili didn’t expect his bodyguard to die so quickly and his heart turned cold. He wanted to beg for mercy but was unable to say a word.
Sun Mo smiled, flicking up his steel blade with his toes. He caught it with his left hand and slashed it onto Pang Jili’s arms, chopping them off.
After killing Pang Jili, Sun Mo looked toward the woman who had curled herself up in a corner of the bed.
“I’m going to light a fire. If you wish to run, hurry up!”
Sun Mo picked up the candle and tossed it onto the floor.
“May I ask for benefactor’s name?” The woman kowtowed. “I’ll never forget the indebtedness for saving my life.”
“Swallow Li San!”
After saying that, Sun Mo left the room and planned on leaving. However, he gave it some thought and then went to the hall, bringing the maid whom he had knocked out along with him.
If he were to leave her alone, she’d get burned to death.
After walking through a few districts, Sun Mo heard the night watch ringing the gong. Flames rose in the direction of the Baimei Tower, turning the skies red.
Sun Mo put away his clothes and weapons before returning home.
“You haven’t slept yet?”
Sun Mo was surprised.
“Husband!”
Mei Niang was very gentle and didn’t ask where Sun Mo had been. Seeing that he wasn’t hurt, she felt at ease. “Do you want to eat something?”
“No need. I’ll go take a bath!”
Sun Mo went to the courtyard, got some water from the well, and then rinsed directly.
In the morning, when the sky had just lit up, Sun Mo and Mei Niang got on a horse carriage and headed out of the city.
The guards in charge of the city’s defense were very lax. All of them were yawning and only asked Sun Mo a few questions such as why he was heading out so early. After hearing that he was heading to visit relatives, they let him pass.
Their main income came from the taxes they collected from the people entering the city. Therefore, they were very lax to people leaving, let alone that Sun Mo was a recommended-candidate.
After leaving the city, Sun Mo felt completely at ease.
He had chosen to make a move late at night, and it had only been four hours since then. By the time those people put out the fire and found the corpses, discerning that Pang Jili was amongst them, ascertaining if it was murder or an accident, as well as deciding on whether they should seal the city gates and apprehend the murderer, he’d have fled long ago.
The government officials’ work efficiency in this era was extremely low.
It was great news!
“Husband!”
Watching the sun gradually rising, Mei Niang hugged onto a bag, looking unsettled.
“Don’t be scared. I’m here!”
Sun Mo consoled her but scolded this trashy game in his heart.
(Why can’t you let me be by myself? The more Mei Niang loves me, the harder it’ll be for me to leave her alone. I’ll be more restricted when I do things.)
Sun Mo planned to go to the woods and become an outlaw. His first choice was Mount Zhao’s bandits who were located near Eight Hundred Miles Lake.
He had heard from others that these people were righteous bandits who robbed the rich and helped the poor.
However, Sun Mo didn’t believe that. These days, how could people still be good when they had resorted to becoming bandits?
Take the bandits on Mount Liang for example. There were good people amongst them, but there were a lot of bad people too.
Seven days later, Sun Mo arrived at the borders of Mount Zhao.
There was a simple and rundown tavern at the foot of the mountain.
A few traveling merchants were drinking tea and having their meal, chatting leisurely amongst themselves.
“Did you hear? Imperial Tutor Pang’s grandson was killed and his corpse was burned.”
“A bad guy like that should have been dead long ago!”
“Heaven has finally done the right thing!”
When the waiter heard these people talking amongst themselves, he couldn’t help but ask, “Which hero had done it?”
“Swallow Li San!”
A merchant replied.
Right now, the Pang Clan’s attention wasn’t on Sun Mo yet. It was mainly because Pang Jili had too many enemies, and Sun Mo’s wife hadn’t been harmed yet. Moreover, Sun Mo was a recommended-candidate. He was a person of status, and it was impossible for him to kill someone nor would he be capable of the feat.
“A hero!”
The waiter praised.
Sun Mo couldn’t help but throw this guy a glance and then at the bun in his hand. (Why does a waiter like you have such a strong pugilistic air? This isn’t a shop that kills and robs their guests, is it?)
After the merchants left, it was already afternoon. Sun Mo was still drinking tea, and the chef as well as the waiter went up to the lady boss, pointing toward Sun Mo.
“This young master, would you like more tea?”
The lady boss came personally.
