In the beginning, he was ranked alongside An Shigeng as a spoiled brat.

"Thank you, Uncle!"

Duan Yu had no suspicions and followed the servants out of Zhang's residence.

Without Kumārajīva's control, Duan Yu looked at the prosperous Lin'an Prefecture, which was completely incomparable to Dali in the south.

The servants of the Zhang family who accompanied Duan Yu were also top-notch tour guides in Lin'an Prefecture.

In the past, when the Zhang family had distinguished guests, they would take them to visit the scenic spots of Lin'an Prefecture, making them a special group among the servants.

The Zhang family's commission, the tips from the foreign guests, the bribes from the vendors...

They can be considered a high-income group among the servants.

"Young Master Duan, you are a guest of the Zhang family, therefore your expenses will be paid by the Zhang family."

The Zhang family and the merchants in Lin'an Prefecture had a tacit agreement: as long as Prince Duan left a signature for a purchase, the merchants would come to the Zhang family every month to conduct a final settlement.

"How embarrassing!"

"Your Highness, there's no need to be so polite. The Zhang family receives guests from various ethnic groups or foreign lands every month."

Because of language barriers, lack of Song Dynasty currency, or unfamiliarity with Lin'an Prefecture, the Zhang family reached a tacit agreement with these merchants that the Zhang family would pay for the guests' expenses.

According to the young master, once the guests are happy and a cooperation agreement is reached, the benefits will far outweigh any investment of a few dollars.

Besides, the cooperation between Dali and the Zhang family involved only a few things.

"I see, Brother Zhang, you have a clever idea!"

Upon hearing this, Duan Yu couldn't help but admire Zhang Xiaoshan's methods.

Moreover, along the way, the seemingly exquisite items at the stalls would not cost more than a penny.

But looking at the guests accompanied by Zhang's servants, the prices they quoted would undoubtedly be more than ten times higher.

They knew that Duan Yu, despite his appearance as a nobleman from the Central Plains, was actually a distinguished guest from a neighboring small country.

After witnessing the prosperity of the Central Plains for an afternoon, Duan Yu arrived at the Red Mansion by West Lake at night!

Duan Yu had long heard of the Zhang family's extravagant lifestyle, and it was rumored that the Hong Mansion's annual revenue was three or four times the previous tax revenue of the Dali Kingdom, which was quite astonishing.

Chapter 328 Kumārajīva's First Exposure in the Battle at the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion

"This humble servant greets Manager Feng!"

Upon entering the Red Mansion, Duan Yu was immediately stunned by the sight of the stunningly beautiful woman before him.

Shopkeeper Feng, however, was already used to this. As her Northern Darkness True Qi became increasingly refined, her skin not only became more radiant and jade-like, but she also seemed younger than she had been nine years ago, her charm surpassing all her former self.

There are no secrets that stay hidden forever, especially the appearances of the women around Zhang Xiaoshan. Most experts know this, as they have cultivated a top-tier technique for preserving youth.

Even Manager Feng, who originally knew no martial arts, has become a martial arts master.

However, Manager Feng never made a move, nor did she need to. The Twelve Music Ensemble of the Red Mansion's guards were no pushovers.

"Manager Feng, this is the heir of the Duan family of Dali!"

"So it's Prince Duan of Dali. Does Your Highness wish to dine downstairs or in a private room?"

The soft, charming Wu dialect startled Duan Yu, who quickly snapped out of his daze and respectfully replied:

"Duan Yu has been rude; I hope Manager Feng will forgive him!"

"Hehe, Your Highness is not the first, and Your Highness's words are the best affirmation of my beauty."

This proves that my beauty has not faded; I am still radiant!

"The shopkeeper is absolutely right..."

Duan Yu blushed slightly, and several maids led the somewhat embarrassed Duan Yu to a private room with an excellent view!

This is a spare private room reserved for extremely distinguished guests who can arrive at any time.

Open the window and you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of West Lake.

Compared to Dianchi Lake and Erhai Lake in the south, it is undoubtedly a different kind of magnificent scenery.

Dianchi Lake and Erhai Lake are still undeveloped, and the area south of the lake is sparsely populated with no particularly unique scenery.

But West Lake is different; it has long been a sacred place for literary gatherings and for talented men and beautiful women to meet.

Especially the ten-mile-long embankment, where fireworks were spectacular!

Looking out at the vast world, Duan Yu's eyes were filled with envy.

"Your Highness, these are all specialties of the Hong family. For example, this Peony Fish Slices are named after the saying, 'Only the peony is truly a national beauty, its blooming season stirs the capital.' This soup pot is called Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, 'Its aroma wafts through the neighborhood, even Buddha would abandon his meditation and jump over the wall to come and enjoy it.'"

Peony Fish Fillets, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall!

Upon hearing this, Duan Yu's expression became inscrutable, and his eyes lit up.

He didn't value how delicious or fragrant the food was, but rather how cleverly the name was chosen, making it refreshing and unique.

"Your Highness, please use it first!"

"Let me try it!"

Duan Yu looked at the feast before him. Having grown accustomed to delicacies in Dali, he naturally had no concept of extravagance or waste.

However, the delicacies at the Red Mansion were all renowned, so once Duan Yu started eating, he couldn't stop.

Compared to the limited variety of cuisine in Tiannan, the signature dishes at Hongfu are a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate, far surpassing even the imperial cuisine of the Song Dynasty palace.

You should know that every chef who could enter the imperial palace was a master chef.

···

"Young Master Duan, come with me!"

Zhang Xiaoshan brought Duan Yu to Ghost Street, which was at its liveliest after midnight.

At this moment, among the furtive figures on Ghost Street, Zhang Xiaoshan's figure, leading Duan Yu, striding forward, stood out conspicuously.

Zhang Xiaoshan was no stranger to the elderly people in Ghost Street, and they knew that he always had something to do when he came to Ghost Street.

But what do these big shots have to do with us little people?

Therefore, he would attract curious new customers and explain his business while promoting it.

Having witnessed the prosperity of Lin'an Prefecture, Duan Yu curiously observed the businesses operating in the shadows, with many shops shrouded in eerie flames that inspired awe.

"This is Ghost Street. The profit sharing between the Zhang family and the Dali Duan family all starts from here in secret, which is why we can keep it strictly confidential!"

Upon hearing Zhang Xiaoshan's introduction, Duan Yu immediately became curious.

At the same time, it was also noted that the seemingly gloomy and terrifying environment was actually quite crowded and very lively.

However, Ghost Street has its own rules. Most people, in order not to reveal their identities, not only do not make loud noises, but also wear special masks to cover their true faces.

"Son!"

After finally arriving at a brightly lit restaurant, all I could see were fierce and gloomy people.

Then came a sweet, seductive voice. Duan Yu saw a beautiful and alluring woman gracefully approaching, and he couldn't take his eyes off her.

'Um! ’

With just a nod, Zhang Xiaoshan led Duan Yu directly into the secret chamber.

At that moment, a figure quickly followed, but before the door of the secret chamber, a flash of lightning suddenly appeared, and the sword light of the white snake's tongue instantly tore through the clothes of the newcomer.

As the man retreated instantly, a powerful aura spread out.

The crowd that quickly dispersed in the hall looked at the newcomer with expressions of utter disbelief and recklessness.

When Kumārajīva looked around, if it weren't for the scratches on his sleeves, he would have thought that the attack was just an illusion.

But he knew that a murderous intent was always watching him, sending chills down his spine.

I never imagined that such a powerful expert could be found in a mere ghost street.

"Amitabha Buddha, may I ask which esteemed master is this, and why he does not appear to meet me?"

"What a joke! You yourself were a thief, following Young Master Zhang here, and now you're saying that Ghost Street is not treating its guests well?"

You little monk, you're quite the smooth talker, twisting the truth and turning black into white.

Being mocked as a "little monk," Kumārajīva began to feel angry. Seeing that the other person had white hair and was at least sixty years old, he couldn't help but recite a Buddhist precept:

"So, venerable benefactor, may I ask who you are, and what grudge you hold against this humble monk?"

"resentment?

Little monk, the old woman retired from the martial world fifty years ago, before you were even born. What grudge could there be?

However, the old woman claims to be a protector of Ghost Street. Why do you think she would stop you?

"Namo Amitabha!"

He retired from the martial arts world fifty years ago?

Even Kumārajīva was taken aback upon hearing this. If it were true, calling him a "little monk" would not be an exaggeration at all.

Moreover, if the other party was a renowned master in the martial arts world fifty years ago, how strong is the other party now?

Moreover, the hidden expert must be connected to this old woman. If they were to clash here, not to mention the extremely mysterious Ghost Yama, just the combined attack of two top experts would be enough to give him no advantage whatsoever.

"So it was the guardian of Ghost Street. I was too reckless."

"In that case, this humble monk will take his leave!"

"Coming and going as you please, little monk, what do you take this place for...?"

"Granny Sun, the young master has ordered that the Imperial Preceptor must not be made difficult!"

At this moment, a majestic and domineering voice attracted everyone's attention.

Kumārajīva saw a mysterious figure dressed in black and wearing a demon mask slowly appear at the exit of the secret chamber.

As the mysterious man gave the order, Kumārajīva's eyes blurred, and a dark figure suddenly appeared beside 'Grandma Sun,' while two gleaming short blades were sheathed. It was the expert who had attacked him earlier.

If it weren't for Gui Yanluo suddenly speaking up, with such a 'ghostly' assassin lurking around, even Kumārajīva would have been drenched in cold sweat.

He was horrified to find the Ghost Street teeming with danger.

Especially Ghost Shadow, who is now nearly eighty years old, is so fast that even Kumārajīva cannot catch his ghostly figure.

In the novel "Little Li Flying Dagger", Ghost Shadow was defeated by Fairy Jinghong in terms of movement skills.

Aside from being slower than his opponent, the main problem is that he's an elderly man nearing eighty; how much strength does he have left?

Therefore, Zhang Xiaoshan passed on the Yi Jin Duan Gu Chapter, the Nine Yin Manual, and the Spiral Nine Shadows to the two of them.

Seventy years of Xuanmen internal energy cultivation, coupled with the nourishment of blood and qi from blood food (deep-sea sashimi), has allowed them to maintain their peak strength, which is why Ghost Shadow was able to suppress Kumārajīva.

"Are you the Ghost Yama?"

Just from the sheer force of their presence, Kumārajīva knew he was no match for them.

That sense of oppression wasn't just about momentum; it also conveyed a martial arts essence—the power of the blade.

And this person was merely a 'servant' of the Zhang family.

"Not bad, I didn't expect that a mere nickname could catch the ear of the Imperial Preceptor!"

However, the young master instructed that the young master Duan is currently catching up with a senior member of the Duan family. If the Imperial Preceptor needs to speak with the young master, please do so tomorrow!

"And what about Young Master Zhang?"

"Young Master naturally has his own matters to attend to; surely he doesn't need to report to the Grand Preceptor?"

As the two exchanged barbs, Kumārajīva's eyes narrowed.

The two masters were locked in a stalemate for less than ten breaths when suddenly a flaming blade struck Ghost Yama. The powerful and intense blade energy mysteriously vanished within three feet of Ghost Yama.

Ghost Yama, on the other hand, unleashed a palm strike from mid-air, his large sleeves fluttering as the force of his palm twisted and changed.

For a moment, apart from the whooshing sound of the palm strike, no one could detect its location. Even Kumārajīva was stunned and shocked by this mysterious and wondrous palm technique.

However, at this time, Ghost Yama's strength was only enough to control three breaths, so he had to launch a surprise attack on Kumārajīva from the right.

Bang!

The moment he sensed the danger on his right, Kumārajīva leaped up and unleashed a flaming blade strike in mid-air.

The Ghost King's palm technique, delivered from a distance, is no secret in Ghost Street.