The Reversal of Heaven Begins with The Smiling, Proud Wanderer

He remembered that there was supposed to be a "good show" there tonight.

As dusk settles, the banks of the Liujing River shimmer with light and shadow.

Fan Xian arrived just in time, accompanied by Fan Ruoruo, who was dressed as a man.

"Brother, this is the most famous pleasure quarter in Kyoto, Zuixianju."

Fan Ruoruo lowered her voice, but couldn't hide her curiosity: "I heard that the former courtesan Si Lili had royal blood, but she was redeemed by Young Master Lin Mu a few days ago."

"The current courtesan is named Sang Wen. She is a talented woman and is proficient in music."

Fan Xian looked at Fan Ruoruo strangely, not expecting that this little sister knew quite a lot.

Fan Ruoruo continued, "Guo Baokun's house has strict security; he always returns home before midnight..."

As she spoke, Fan Ruoruo lifted her foot to walk into Zuixianju.

Fan Xian quickly grabbed her: "Hey, hey, what are you doing?"

"I'll go in with you!"

Fan Ruoruo spoke as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, but her eyes gleamed with eager anticipation.

"Go back now!"

Fan Xian dared not admit that Fan Ruoruo had entered such a place, and hurriedly said, "If Father finds out I brought you to a place like this, he'll break my legs!"

As the two were struggling, a laughing voice came:

"Brother Fan, Miss Ruoruo, it's truly a rare treat to meet someone like me in this world."

Lin Mu walked slowly closer, dressed in a blue robe, with a gentle smile.

His gaze swept over Fan Ruoruo, who was dressed in men's clothing, and he felt that she had a unique charm. Then he looked at Fan Xian and teased, "Brother Fan, bringing your sister to a place like this, aren't you afraid that Uncle Sinan will beat you with the sole of his shoe?"

Fan Xian was speechless for a moment, then quickly shifted the blame: "It was the Prince Jing's son who invited me, and I couldn't refuse his kind invitation. I'm new to the capital and don't know the way, so I had to trouble Ruoruo to lead the way."

Fan Ruoruo nodded repeatedly, but her gaze couldn't help but drift towards Lin Mu: "Young Master Lin, are you also here for a river cruise?"

Lin Mu smiled and said frankly, "I had nothing to do at the moment, and having heard that the newly appointed Miss Sang Wen is exceptionally talented, I came here to seek out a kindred spirit and listen to her sing."

Upon hearing this, Fan Xian thought to himself, "This fellow villager is so shameless, his face doesn't even flinch. When it comes to excuses for visiting brothels, his thick skin is even greater than mine!"

He smiled and said, "In that case, Brother Lin, would you like to come along?"

Fan Xian was just being polite, but Lin Mu readily agreed: "Very good. Of the four great bonds in life, you and I have one more."

Seeing the two chatting so happily, seemingly forgetting about her, Fan Ruoruo couldn't help but tug at Fan Xian's sleeve: "Brother, I also..."

"Nonsense!"

Fan Xian put on a stern face: "How can a young lady go to a place like this? Don't you care about your reputation? Go back now, I promise I won't do anything reckless."

As he spoke, he quickly pulled Lin Mu toward Zuixianju.

"Brother! You guys..."

Fan Ruoruo stomped her feet in anger, but could only watch helplessly as the two left.

Upon reaching the arched bridge, Prince Jing's heir, Li Hongcheng, was already waiting there.

"Brother Fan, you've finally arrived... Oh? Young Master Lin is here too?"

Li Hongcheng was slightly surprised to see Lin Mu, then smiled and said, "Could it be that you've also come for Miss Sang Wen?"

"A beautiful and graceful lady is the object of a gentleman's affections; that's just my little hobby..."

Lin Mu was neither humble nor arrogant.

The three exchanged pleasantries as they entered Zuixianju.

The building is a hidden world, with each area having a distinct style. Some offer elegant music, others discuss poetry and painting, and still others distill wine and taste tea. It is refined and unconventional, certainly not an ordinary brothel.

As the host, Li Hongcheng explained, "Using one's looks to please others ultimately leads to a low level of behavior."

"What I value here is refined taste. Whether it's ancient music, the ingenious methods of distilling wine, chess, or painting, there are specialists in all of them."

“All the young men of Kyoto can find kindred spirits here.”

Just then, a deafening commotion erupted outside the window.

Someone shouted, "Miss Sangwen's flower boat has moved!"

On the Liujing River, a beautifully decorated pleasure boat slowly sailed by, drawing cheers from both banks.

Lin Mu thought to himself, "This scene looks familiar."

Fan Xian looked at the painted boat and couldn't help but feel a little nervous.

Li Hongcheng joked, "Brother Fan, are you panicking?"

"I have to get used to it..."

Fan Xian muttered to himself, "This is different from what's shown on TV!"

Lee Hong-sung asked in confusion, "What is a television?"

"Something like shadow puppetry."

Lin Mu naturally responded, glancing at Fan Xian—this "fellow townsman" occasionally slipped up.

In other words, if the story were set in a world that specifically targets time travelers, the protagonist of "Joy of Life" would probably die a horrible death.

A moment later, a woman dressed in a pink dress and holding a pipa gracefully stepped ashore; she was none other than the new courtesan, Sang Wen.

She was originally a dutiful musician, skilled in music, especially the pipa, and was appreciated by Chen Pingping.

However, after Si Lili left, Zuixianju needed someone to support it. Since she had no power or influence, Li Hongcheng managed to bring her here.

Although she forced a smile, the faint sorrow and submissiveness between her brows made her all the more pitiful.

"Sang Wen greets His Highness, Young Master Lin, and Young Master Fan."

Sang Wen bowed gracefully, but her gaze was fixed on Li Hongcheng, carrying a hint of timidity and anticipation.

Her fate rested entirely on the decision of the person standing before her.

Li Hongcheng hesitated at this moment.

He originally intended to use Sang Wen to win over Fan Xian, but Lin Mu's sudden appearance disrupted his original plan.

Just then, a prompting voice rang in Lin Mu's mind.

[Ding! You have come into contact with the destined character Sang Wen, triggering the side quest: Redemption.]

[Mission Requirement: Redeem Sang Wen from servitude within one month.]

[Task Reward: Randomly selected.]

Lin Mu's gaze shifted slightly as he looked at Sang Wen and said, "Miss Sang Wen and I hit it off immediately. Would you be so kind as to invite me to cruise on the lake and discuss music together?"

Fan Xian immediately turned his head, his eyes seeming to say: I never expected you, Lin Mu, to be this kind of person!

Sang Wen was slightly taken aback and looked at Li Hongcheng.

Seeing the prince nod almost imperceptibly, she forced a smile and said softly, "Young Master Lin's reputation is widespread, and I am deeply honored."

Lin Mu smiled slightly and boarded the painted boat with Sang Wen.

Li Hongcheng turned to Fan Xian, his smile returning: "Brother Fan, what kind of girl do you like? I'll arrange it for you, I guarantee you'll feel right at home."

Fan Xian said seriously, "Old Li, I'm really not that kind of person..."

However, not long after, he was led to another pleasure boat and sat down to drink with a woman of considerable beauty.

Of course, Fan Xian's purpose for this trip was not related to romance.

His targets are Guo Baokun and Teng Zijing.

Unlike Lin Mu, who only cares about his younger sister.

Chapter 83: Beating Guo Baokun

Inside the painted boat.

Fan Xian and the girl arranged by Li Hongcheng feigned politeness for a moment, then, taking advantage of a moment when Fan Xian was not paying attention, he flicked his fingertips and put a small amount of sleeping potion into the tea.

The woman fell into a deep sleep shortly after drinking the beverage.

Fan Xian settled her on the couch, disguised himself slightly, and then quietly left the painted boat, his figure disappearing into the night.

But as soon as Fan Xian jumped ashore, he saw a man standing with his hands behind his back, as if he had been waiting for a long time.

Fan Xian stopped in his tracks, chuckled awkwardly, and said, "The night is long, and I can't sleep. I thought I was the only one having trouble sleeping; it turns out Brother Lin, you're doing it too..."

"Stop."

Lin Mu raised his hand to interrupt, his tone indifferent: "There's no need to act with me anymore. If we delay any longer, and Teng Zijing really kills Guo Baokun, there will be no turning back."

"You even know about this?"

Fan Xian was startled.

He only obtained the documents from Wang Qinian this afternoon, and this matter should only be known to him, Wang Qinian, and Teng Zijing.

Could it be that Wang Qinian leaked the information?

Lin Mu seemed to see through his thoughts: "I know far more than you imagine. Let's talk as we walk."

Fan Xian, concerned for Teng Zijing's safety, asked no further questions.

The two men darted onto the rooftops as silently as night owls, scaling walls and rooftops in the Kyoto night, skillfully avoiding the patrolling soldiers, and soon caught up with a swaying sedan chair.

On the eaves of the building ahead, a dark figure was moving silently; it was Teng Zijing.

His gaze was fixed on the sedan chair below, his hand gripping a dagger tightly, his killing intent palpable.

With his wife and children "dead," he no longer cared about right or wrong; he only wished to perish together with Guo Baokun on this deserted street!

Just as Teng Zijing was about to leap down, a figure blocked his way even faster.

"Fan Xian? Young Master Lin?"

Teng Zijing was taken aback, then his face turned anxious, and he said in a low voice, "Why are you here? Don't stop me!"

Lin Mu said calmly, "I had some wine and women, so I came out for a walk to clear my head. I just happened to be passing by."

Teng Zijing had no intention of saying more to him and turned to charge again.

Fan Xian quickly pressed down on his shoulder and said in a deep voice, "Wait! Why would Guo Baokun kill your whole family? Why would a small conflict lead to the extermination of an entire family? This doesn't make sense!"

Teng Zijing's eyes were bloodshot as he angrily said, "Some people are inherently cruel, like beasts. How can you judge them by common sense?"

Fan Xian calmly analyzed: "The document says that he ordered his servants to break down the door and kill the family. Such arrogance is definitely not his usual style."

"When he dealt with you, he at least knew to use the government to convict you. Why is he so reckless now?"

As the sedan chair was about to turn the corner, Teng Zijing grew increasingly impatient: "What exactly do you want to say?"

Lin Mu interjected, "Brother Fan means that there is something strange about this matter. That document may not be genuine. It would be better to arrest Guo Baokun first, find out the truth, and then take action. If he is really the murderer, it will not be too late to kill him."

Lin Mu's words were like a bucket of cold water, slightly extinguishing the raging fire of hatred in Teng Zijing's heart.

A faint hope ignited in his heart—perhaps his family was still alive?

The three exchanged a glance and instantly reached a tacit understanding.

Lin Mu moved with lightning speed, flicking his fingers in quick succession, sending out several invisible bursts of energy that precisely struck the pressure points of the sedan bearers and guards.

Without uttering a sound, the men collapsed to the ground.

The sedan chair landed with a thud, startling the drunken Guo Baokun inside.

"Huh? Are we here?"

Guo Baokun, still half-asleep, lifted the curtain and stepped out, only to see his men lying on the ground all around him. He immediately sobered up and turned to run away in fright.

But he hadn't run more than a few steps when a burlap sack was dumped over his head.

"Who? Who dares to touch me! My father is Guo Youzhi, the Minister of Rites! Do you all have a death wish?!"

Guo Baokun struggled and screamed inside the sack.

"It was you who hit!"

Fan Xian's voice rang out coldly, and then he slammed his fist hard into the sack.