The God of the Human Realm!

Chapter 31 Family Reunion (Part 1)

Qingxu is more prosperous than Yangquan, with wider streets and numerous shops.

Every blade of grass, every tree, every street and alley was both familiar and unfamiliar to Hong Yuan.

Hong Yuan did not feel any nostalgia for returning to the place.

The horse had been released back into the mountains before entering the city, and now it was traveling along the long bluestone street, heading towards the Huang family mansion in Rongqing Lane in the east of the city.

Although he had been nominally brothers with Huang Shaotang, he knew the location of the residence even though he had never personally set foot there.

Hong Yuan strode forward.

As dawn broke and the warm sunlight streamed down, the county town came alive with activity. The streets were bustling with people, and Hong Yuan even spotted a few familiar faces as he walked.

Hong Yuan made no attempt to greet them, and some of the acquaintances looked at him but did not recognize him.

Although it has only been half a month, Hong Yuan has undergone a complete transformation, a complete upheaval.

Previously, he was a handsome yet delicate scholar, but now he is dressed in a smart and sleek outfit, with a long sword at his waist. He has also grown taller, and looks every bit the heroic and extraordinary wandering knight.

In no time, Hong Yuan passed a three-story pavilion, from which came the strong scent of perfume and the laughter of women.

With a creak, the second-floor window opened, and a colorful ribbon floated down, landing at Hong Yuan's feet.

Immediately afterwards, a woman dressed in red and green, around thirty or forty years old, still charming, poked her head out and smiled before speaking: "Oh dear, I was impolite and almost hit you, young master. I am very sorry and will come down to apologize to you immediately."

Haha! Luckily it wasn't a bamboo pole thrown down, otherwise Hong Yuan would have thought she did it on purpose.

The pavilion next to me is the famous brothel "Tanchun Pavilion" in Qingxu County, and the woman just now was the madam of the pavilion.

Hong Yuan had also been invited by Fatty Huang to visit Tan Chun Pavilion once. After all, the original owner was a cultured man, and what kind of refined scholar would he be without some romantic flair?
He was terrified after just one visit. The girls in the pavilion looked at him like female demons eyeing Tang Sanzang's flesh, each one seemingly full of strength and cunning.

The original owner was trembling with fear and didn't dare to do anything lewd. He only listened to the courtesans in the pavilion playing the zither all night.

The next day, Huang Pangzi still paid for the service.

Having taken two of the three major irons, in a way, this fat yellow guy really is the original owner's 'good brother'!
Hong Yuan wasn't in a hurry to leave.

It wasn't that he wanted to relive the past, but rather that he was wondering if Huang Shaotang was currently in the Tan Chun Pavilion.
Before long, the madam swayed her hips as she walked out of the building. Upon closer inspection, her eyes lit up.

What a handsome young man!

This imposing and upright figure suggests that the man beneath his clothes is also extremely robust, certainly not just a showpiece.

The madam, with her rich experience, quickly sized him up, then subtly wiped away her drool. She would be willing to spend hundreds or thousands of taels of silver to keep such a handsome young man company for ten days and ten nights!

"Oh dear! Young master, I apologize to you..."

The madam laughed so hard she nearly fell over.

Hong Yuan waved his hand and asked directly, "Is Huang Shaotang inside?"

"Hmm?" The madam, who had been dazed by the shaking, calmed down and looked at Hong Yuan hesitantly. People in their line of work dared not reveal their customers' information casually.

"Brother Shaotang and I are classmates and close friends. I came to congratulate Master Huang on his wedding today. If Brother Shaotang is in the pavilion, we can go together."

Upon hearing this, the madam chuckled again, waving her handkerchief: "So, young master and young master Huang are good friends. Young master Huang had a good time last night and just woke up. Shall I go and invite him out?"

"No need. I haven't seen Brother Shaotang for many days and I miss him terribly. Please ask the madam to lead the way."

The madam, seeing that Hong Yuan was not a patron, was not angry. She picked up the ribbon, swayed her waist and said, "Please come with me, young master."

Upon entering the pavilion, one finds a spacious hall filled with all sorts of people. The man walks with his hand on his back, yawning repeatedly, looking quite tired, while the woman is dressed in finery, laughing and chatting happily.

"Madam!"

"mom!"

Several sharp-eyed girls called out sweetly, swaying their hips as they pressed themselves against him, their eyes glistening with moisture, whispering seductively, "Mama, what's the name of this young master? Which sister will serve you? Or perhaps we could do it ourselves..."

"Get out of my way, you sluts and whores! This young master is here to see Young Master Huang."

The madam scolded away all the girls and led Hong Yuan up to the third floor, constantly berates the girls who tried to squeeze past them along the way. She stopped in front of a brightly lit room, and before she could knock, a soft, pleading voice came from inside: "Young master, please hurry!"

"Um?!"

Hong Yuanben was about to push the door open when he heard this voice and hesitated, afraid that he would see something shocking if he went in.

Although the voice was soft and gentle, it was undoubtedly a man's voice.

I've never heard of Brother Shaotang having this hobby before!
"I know, why are you rushing me? It's so annoying!" A tired and impatient voice rang out; it was Huang Shaotang.

"Young Master, today is a joyous occasion for the Master. It wouldn't be good if you arrived late."

Hong Yuan breathed a sigh of relief, almost thinking that Brother Shaotang had changed his gender. It turned out that it was the servant speaking.

"What's wrong with that? My old father has taken so many concubines, and every time it's so complicated. I'm tired of it even if he isn't! Humph! She's just a concubine; he can just carry her in through the side door!"

"Young Master, you mustn't say that in front of the Master..."

"I, Huang Shaotang, am not stupid. By the way, is the gift I asked you to prepare ready? Don't let my brothers outshine me again!"

Hong Yuan waved to the madam and said with a smile, "Thank you for showing me the way. You can go down now. Brother Shao Tang is in a fit of temper, so don't let him hurt you."

"Very well, young master, please summon me at any time if you have any orders." The madam left with a smile.

Hong Yuan pushed the door, and it shook but did not open, obviously because it was bolted from the inside. He released his strength from his palm, and with a 'crack', the bolt was knocked off.

This skillful use of force is precisely the manifestation of transforming strength into softness.

Then Hong Yuan pushed open the door, revealing a brightly lit room filled with a warm steam that dispelled the chill of late autumn.

The room was exquisitely furnished. The bedding on the large bed was in disarray. Huang Shaotang, with his greasy face, sunken eyes, and disheveled clothes, sat up but did not see the girl in the room. Perhaps she had gone out.

"Brother Shaotang, it's been many days since we last met, and I've missed you terribly. But I'm relieved to see that you're still alive."

As Hong Yuan entered, he casually slammed the door shut behind him.

Huang Shaotang was stunned to see this person enter uninvited, while the servant had already asked, "Who are you, young master? Is this your friend?"

Seeing that Hong Yuan addressed him so affectionately, he didn't dare to be presumptuous.

"You...who are you?" Huang Shaotang was still a little confused. He looked at Hong Yuan and felt that he was somewhat familiar with him, but he couldn't remember when he had seen this person before.

However, seeing that this person had an extraordinary air about him, he did not reprimand him.

"Alas! Brother Shaotang, we have been classmates for many years and are as close as father and son. I have always regarded you as my own son, but you don't even recognize me. It's truly disheartening!"

Hong Yuan sighed, took a step forward, and with one hand raised and grabbed, he had already pinched the servant's neck.

The servant suddenly felt his body go limp, as if something was blocking his throat. He could neither move nor make a sound, and could only show a look of terror in his eyes.

Huang Shaotang finally regained some composure, his expression furious: "You bastard, what are you talking about?"

Hong Yuan had already brought the servant to the bedside. He gently patted the back of the servant's neck with his hand, and there was a "pop" sound, like a firecracker splitting open.

As blood splattered, Hong Yuan loosened his grip, and the servant fell face down to the ground, with only a bloody gash on the back of his neck.

He died without even letting out a scream.

Huang Shaotang stared blankly at the scene, and in the next instant, his eyes were filled with terror, and he opened his mouth to scream.

Suddenly, a chill ran through him as a finger touched his brow.

Huang Shaotang felt a chill run through him, as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over his head. He could no longer utter a shout. Trembling, he looked up and saw the other person smiling slightly at him, saying softly:

"Brother Shaotang, with just a light touch of my finger! Boom! Your head will explode like an egg, it'll be a spectacular sight!"

Upon hearing "Brother Shaotang" again, Huang Shaotang's body trembled violently, and the look of horror on his face deepened: "You...you are Hong Yuan? You're still alive?"

(End of this chapter)