Reincarnation Girl Becomes Immortal

"It's not difficult at all." Hongji waved her hand to reassure her, then left her seat and went upstairs.

After a while, Yan Hongji still hadn't returned, so several Hu women started dancing together on the stage.

The drumbeats began, growing increasingly lively.

As the first note of the stringed instrument played, the woman on stage raised her slender arms, which were wrapped with soft silk threads and feather ribbons, and began to dance, spinning and treading like swirling snowflakes and fluttering reeds, turning and turning one after another as if she never tired.

Her dance costume was as light as floating clouds, and her beautiful face was as radiant as a blooming peony.

Xi Heng watched quietly from below, his teacup empty but he forgot to put it down.

"Yes." Then a voice came from her left: "Are you mesmerized?"

Disturbed by the interruption, Xi Heng turned her head and saw that it was Chu Xiao talking to her, so she casually shook her head and tidied herself up.

"It's quite astonishing that such a great poet has such a shy demeanor." The other person chuckled, picking up a pastry from the table and putting it to their lips.

Am I being underestimated?

Xi Heng pouted but didn't respond.

"Miss Xi Heng, would you like to compose another poem about such a graceful dance?" Chu Xiao encouraged her, still thinking about Xi Heng's previous poem.

"No inspiration," Xi Heng said casually. She would never admit that she hadn't really memorized any poems about the Hu Xuan dance.

"What a pity." Chu Xiao did not insist. Speaking of poetry, she softly recited the poem that Xi Heng had mentioned earlier.

After reading it aloud, she sighed softly, "How exactly was it made?"

Xi Heng did not answer.

"May I share this poem with others?" Chu Xiao asked.

"Whatever." Xi Heng gazed at the dancers on stage.

Seeing that the other party didn't seem to care, Chu Xiao gently shook her head.

Before long, Yan Hongji brought down the most beautiful Hu woman from upstairs. Not only was she stunningly beautiful, but her voice was also more fluent than that of the other Hu women, and the dullness often associated with people from the Western Regions could no longer be heard.

Furthermore, as the most beautiful courtesan in the brothel, this person was clearly quite adept at creating a lively atmosphere, even drawing Xi Heng, who rarely spoke, into the other person's mood.

Sipping tea, watching this beautiful Hu woman dance beside me, occasionally exchanging a few words, casually enjoying some of the delicacies on the table... it seems that today will slowly come to an end in this peaceful atmosphere.

But halfway there, a drunken man dressed in brocade robes, unsteady on his feet, approached them.

“Spring Breeze, Spring Breeze…” His voice was muffled: “Why don’t you see me? Why are you playing with them instead? I am the eldest son of the Zhong family. I paid five hundred taels of silver and ten bolts of jade silk as a headband. Why won’t you even let me come upstairs to see you…”

"The Zhong family?" Yan Hongji looked at the person who had disturbed them, a hint of hostility flashing in her eyes.

The drunken man opened and closed his eyes again: "Why is Miss Yan here too? Do women also come to Liuluo Tower to watch the Hu Ji whirling dance?"

"This is none of your business, is it?" Yan Hongji waved her hand, signaling the other party to leave.

"So it turns out that the eldest daughter of the Yan family, who is rumored to be quite capable and business-savvy, also has such hobbies..." the other party said. "It is said that the rest of the Yan family in this generation are all spoiled brats, and they can only rely on you, the eldest daughter, to support them. Now it seems that it is not as powerful as the rumors say."

"Spring Breeze, why are you accompanying this person? My Zhong family is many times larger than their Yan family. Whatever they give you, I will give back many times over!"

“Young master is drunk today, you should go back first—” The courtesan named Chunfeng was about to offer some gentle advice when she was interrupted by another voice.

"Zhong Qingjiang, step back. You've ruined my mood," Chu Xiao said coldly to the man.

"Who are you? How dare you address me by my name..." The man muttered, rubbing his confused eyes before finally looking up and seeing the other person's face clearly.

It was at this moment that he suddenly froze in place, his whole body going numb and trembling.

A bead of cold sweat appeared on his forehead, instantly sobering him up considerably.

"Your Highness..." Zhong Qingjiang suddenly realized what was happening. His face, which had been flushed from the wine, turned deathly pale. His hands trembled slightly, and he swayed back and forth, not knowing what to do.

"Don't expose yourself," Chu Xiao said casually.

"Yes! Yes!" The troublemaker seemed to have been doused with cold water and immediately sobered up, nodding hurriedly: "It was your foolishness that I mistook Your Highness for someone else. Please forgive me!"

"Just get lost." Chu Xiao waved her hand and didn't say anything more.

"Yes! Thank you, sir!" Zhong Qingjiang immediately agreed and swayed as he left the sir's sight.

"..." After seeing this scene, Xi Heng finally understood why this person named Chu Xiao had developed such an arrogant personality.

If she herself were always treated with such awe and even fear by others, she might be even more arrogant and disdainful of everyone than Chu Xiao.

Even worse, they might treat human life as something inhuman.

Alas, my life as a royal princess, how could it have ended like this?

Xi Heng let out a silent sigh in his heart.

After the slight disturbance, Chu Xiao continued her conversation with the courtesan Hu Ji beside her. However, after what had just happened, Hu Ji seemed to have vaguely realized Chu Xiao's identity, and her tone and conversation became much more reserved.

Meanwhile, Yan Hongji also shifted her attention, looking in the direction the guy surnamed Zhong had left, seemingly lost in thought.

Having just noticed the hostility in Hong Ji's eyes, Xi Heng took the initiative to ask, "That person was so rude, should I teach him a lesson for you?"

Yan Hongji was taken aback, then shook her head and said, "What's the use of teaching this spoiled brat a lesson? He's not the one in charge of the Zhong family. The one who's my enemy in the business world and has swallowed up many of my family's businesses is not him, but his father."

“Then I’ll teach his father a lesson for you.” Xi Heng’s thoughts were unwavering.

Yan Hongji gave a wry smile: "The Zhong family has hidden strength masters. How can you teach them a lesson? Besides, this is the capital city. It's not suitable to use knives and guns here. The soldiers in the capital are not to be trifled with."

"Then wouldn't it be better if we just didn't get discovered?" Xi Heng suggested.

"It's not that easy... But speaking of which, I do have a chance that my senior sister can help me deal with some enemies."

"Where to? Who to kill? How many?" Xi Heng accepted the mission.

"Senior sister is so straightforward." Yan Hongji didn't mince words either: "The Qing Le Gang people often come to interfere with my business. If you have time, please help me get rid of these troubles."

"Clean up, huh..." This was the first time Xi Heng had ever seen a hint of killing intent in his junior sister's eyes.

"I hope you'll be discreet, Senior Sister, and not let anyone recognize that it was our Yan family who did this." Yan Hongji said softly, "The Qing Le Gang operates in the flower-growing area south of Qin Xie Chang Lane, and they manage the Willow Lane Flower Street, a place where prostitution takes place. The gang has over four hundred members, more than twenty of whom have reached the Jin level, and one has reached the Ming Jin level. Senior Sister, please be careful."

"It's just a Ming Jin mastery level." Xi Heng waved his hand.

On her way from Jinshi City to the capital, she killed so many Ming Jin Dachengs that she couldn't count them on one hand.

"...The officers and soldiers have strict control over Qin Xie Lane, but they are much more lenient in the Diao Hua District, a place where all sorts of people mingle and are full of gangs and factions. They can simply leave after finishing their business and cover their faces," Yan Hongji added.

"What are you talking about?" Another girl seemed to have overheard their whispers.

“Senior Sister is going to stay at Flower Pavilion for a long time, so let’s talk about what’s to come.” Yan Hongji turned around and replied quite naturally.

"Oh..." Chu Xiao didn't mind, and just said, "I've had my fun today, let's go back now."

"It's only been half an hour, hasn't it?" Hongji asked in confusion.

Chu Xiao shook her head slightly, said nothing more, and stood up with an elegant posture, walking towards the entrance of the pavilion on her own.

Hongji waved her hand and got up to follow the steps of this nobleman.

Xi Heng followed behind and overheard their conversation.

"That young lady named Chunfeng seems to have realized my identity. She has changed from her previous light and natural demeanor to respectful and nervous. I'm used to seeing this kind of behavior, so of course I find it boring," Chu Xiao chuckled.

"No matter where I go, once my identity is discovered, everything that was originally special becomes less special." She shook her head.

"I'm tired today, so I'll head back to my room now, Hongji."

Yan Hongji nodded in agreement.

Xi Heng watched the two women board the tall carriage, but did not leave with them.

"Isn't Senior Sister coming along?"

"I have some things to take care of," the girl waved lightly.

Yan Hongji seemed to understand, and said with a slightly more serious look, "I wish you all the best, Senior Sister."

"Don't worry." Xi Heng turned and walked south.

A few silver bells rang out from the stuffy carriage, and the driver then flicked the reins, the wide wheels creaking as the carriage gradually moved away.

Xi Heng walked alone in the crowd.

As the sun was setting, the red and yellow lanterns hanging in front of the pavilions in the bustling Qin Xie alley were lit one after another by the waiters.

The dim, warm light, either yellow or reddish, illuminated the layers of archways and signs, giving her the vague illusion that she was walking down a modern commercial street filled with neon lights.

As evening approached and night fell, the number of people on the streets gradually increased.

Some shops that were closed during the day gradually opened for business at this time, with many lights and fluorescent lights shining inside, and few dark places.

Incense was lit, wine was poured, and various aromas mingled together, adding a touch of decadent glamour to the bustling atmosphere of the capital.

A series of calls and solicitations rang out around Xi Heng.

The girl found a clothing store on the street that sold bright and exquisite clothes, and used a few taels of silver from her purse to exchange for a black veil hat that could cover her face.

She gripped the brim of her hat and pressed it down, her left hand bracing against the scabbard of her longsword at her waist. Her steps became unconsciously steady and composed, and an aura of power emanated from her, while a hint of killing intent appeared in her eyes.

She hasn't killed anyone in almost three days.

……

Chapter Thirty-Five: Blood-Soaked Night

As night fell in the capital, the area around the Qin-Xie long alley in the inner city was brightly lit.

The long alley was lit with fluorescent lights and candles everywhere. Soft whispers and laughter could be heard from every open pavilion. Women danced on a stage filled with flowers, reaching out their hands to the accompaniment of music from string and wind instruments.

Along the wide street, women sit on wooden steps or strange rocks, holding a pipa upright and playing it with their delicately carved fingernails, accompanied by soft singing, which attracts people's attention.

Xi Heng had been solicited along this path, and even though she was a woman, she had been approached by many men. These men were not only women of the night, but also men who wore rouge and powder and dressed in brightly colored dresses, their demeanor and expressions indistinguishable from women's. They would come and invite anyone, regardless of whether they were men or women...

"That's really quite open-minded..." Xi Heng had never imagined that people in ancient times could be so adventurous.

"Isn't it said that people in ancient times were very feudal and conservative?"

What she saw today truly overturned her previous impressions.

It's hard to tell whether this was the case in ancient times or because she traveled to a different dynasty that didn't exist in history.

Xi Heng shook his head without thinking much of it and continued walking forward.

She had been gone for so long today, naturally to complete the task her junior sister had asked her to do: to go to the flower-growing area south of Qin Xie Lane, to find the so-called Qing Le Gang and try to destroy it.

Upon arriving at the less bustling area south of Qin Xie Lane, Xi Heng randomly grabbed someone on the street to ask for directions. After confirming that he had reached the flower-growing district, he looked around for brightly lit commercial buildings to approach.

Yan Hongji had previously mentioned that the Qing Le Gang was involved in the sex trade, so Xi Heng went to brothels and similar places first.

The red-roofed brothels in this area are quite different from the ornate pavilions and towers in Qin Xie Lane. It is just a two-story building with blue bricks connecting slender wooden doors. Red cloths for climbing the stairs are hung on the doors, and two lines of couplets are written on the two beams. It is simple and plain, without any unique style.

If the buildings and decorations in the Qin Xie Chang Lane area still had some artistic flair, this place was just an ordinary place.

Furthermore, the people coming and going in front of the brothel were mostly commoners, unlike the prosperous areas in the north where the customers were either sons and daughters of wealthy families dressed in fine clothes, unrestrained literati, or martial artists like Xi Heng.

As Xi Heng pondered these thoughts, he leaned towards the brothel from that night.

Upon seeing her appearance, the burly guards in front of the building first sneered, "The rumors are true. So there really are young ladies visiting brothels. Young lady, are you here for some fun, or...?"

Before the other party could finish speaking, Xi Heng interrupted indifferently, "Are you from the Qing Le Gang?"

"Hehe, that's right. What advice do you have for me, young lady?" The other party was used to being domineering and answered directly.

"I was passing by when I heard that you bullied men and women, forced innocent women into prostitution, and committed all sorts of evil deeds." Before taking action, Xi Heng first labeled the other party, and then, like a righteous hero, loudly proclaimed, "I have come here specifically to teach you a lesson."

The four guards exchanged glances upon hearing this, and then one of them sneered:

"Where did this show-off girl come from? She thinks she can punish evil and uphold justice after learning only one or two moves. She's probably been listening to too many storytelling performances. Get back to where you came from!"

Halfway through his speech, he turned to Xi Heng with a fierce expression, as if to intimidate him.

However, Xi Heng did not show the slightest sign of being startled, which aroused his suspicion.

"Enough with the nonsense, take this!" Xi Heng put on a righteous and awe-inspiring appearance, and initially charged at the enemy with only his fists and feet, without drawing his sword.

"You little brat." The burly gatekeeper clenched his fist and immediately stepped forward.

He raised his right hand to deliver a punch, but Xi Heng simply turned slightly to the side and dodged it effortlessly.

She then moved closer and raised her fist to smash it into the other person's chin.

Xi Heng didn't use his full strength, not wanting his enemy to realize the difference in their strength and immediately flee in panic.

Even so, this move, which incorporates the power of waist movement, footwork, and inertia, directly caused the enemy to let out a cry of pain and fall backward.

Luckily, someone caught him, otherwise the guard would have suffered a concussion from hitting his head on the ground.

After a moment, the burly man snapped out of his daze and looked at Xi Heng with renewed respect: "This girl is quite capable. Let's attack together!"