The grand plan to steal the heavens and swap the sun was meticulous and thorough, so flawless that even a coward like Pan Yi would give it a thumbs up.
After all, Yun Liu had directly copied the Black Crow Usurpation, laying out the strategy on both ends—how could it not be reliable?
In the secret room, four rebels with their own ulterior motives plotted loudly, raising their cups in celebration, toasting to the prosperity of their treasonous enterprise.
***
“Then let me congratulate Her Highness the Princess in advance for inheriting the throne—no, it’s the Sage Empress Zhu, after all!”
Pan Yi gave Jing Rui’s firm backside a light pat, earning a soft, complaining gasp, and couldn’t help but stare greedily at the beauty in the arms of the white-robed youth.
When the fake princess ascended, the true princess in the Wang Palace couldn’t go to waste either.
If he could trick both royal aunt and niece together, that would truly be heaven on earth!
Suddenly, a commotion erupted downstairs, the clash of weapons and shouts interrupting their conspiracy.
Jing Rui frowned, glaring downward.
“Who’s bold enough to cause trouble here!?”
Yun Liu yawned and glanced over indifferently, then froze.
On the Silver Sparrow Terrace stage, two figures—one in red, one in yellow—looked oddly familiar, swords in hand, spiritual energy surging, fighting fiercely as if they’d snuck in by mistake.
Young female sword cultivators brawling in a pleasure house.
How did Ji Shiyu and Xiao Xinran end up in a brothel!?
The two little enemies scattered a flock of sparrows, bickering and fighting even as they battled the guards, dragging along a silver sparrow who was supposed to be serving customers, dodging and hiding together.
Ordinary body cultivators were no match for them.
What the hell?
Jing Tan’er and Jing Rui looked at Yun Liu, who was equally dumbfounded.
The arrival of this bizarre duo could be traced back to half an hour earlier.
In the Wang Palace, the trio of idle troublemakers suddenly realized someone was missing—the room was empty.
At dusk, under the lantern lights of the East Gate market, two lovely girls appeared.
One stood at the street corner, looking around anxiously; the other crossed her arms with a face full of disdain.
Both wore cloud-patterned robes and swords, breathtakingly beautiful, turning heads wherever they went.
“Strange, why did the scent disappear here?”
Ji Shiyu scratched her head in confusion, sensing a subtle aura of luck that had led her to this place purely by instinct.
Xiao Xinran mocked, “Are you a dog? You can even sniff this out?”
“You have no right to talk! You lost track of the person you’re supposed to protect, and you still call yourself a bodyguard? Pathetic!”
“If Young Master didn’t tell me to follow, then he didn’t want me around. Maybe he just went to the restroom.”
Xiao Xinran shrugged.
“Then why are you following me? Go stake out the public toilets if you’re so concerned!”
Ji Shiyu waved her off.
“Of course I’m keeping an eye on you, in case you bother Young Master.”
“Afraid I’ll disturb his defense?”
Ji Shiyu rolled her eyes.
She was certain her teacher was on this very street.
Xiao Xinran pinched her nose, too lazy to argue with this crude yellow-haired girl, though curiosity nagged at her.
If Ji Shiyu hadn’t barged into Yun Liu’s room for some impromptu Ji-style test, she wouldn’t have known Yun Liu was missing.
Where would Young Master go so late at night?
Ji Shiyu glanced around but found nothing, then suspiciously looked up.
The most conspicuous building in the bustling street was the luxurious silver tower before her, from which faint scents of wine, food, and cosmetics drifted.
“Silver Sparrow Terrace… What an unusual… restaurant?”
Xiao Xinran opened her mouth.
She wasn’t a three-year-old—she’d heard the name before.
“You don’t want to know.”
“Let’s go in and see.”
“Huh? Are you insane!?”
Before Xiao Xinran could stop her, Ji Shiyu rushed forward and politely greeted the two burly doormen, holding up two fingers.
“Hello, gentlemen, are there any seats available?”
Gui Nu was stunned.
The two girls exuded overwhelming spiritual energy and beauty, rivaling neither red nor green sparrows—clearly not ordinary people.
But it was the first time he’d seen girls openly strolling into a brothel!
Surely they weren’t here for a job interview?
“There… are seats, but the establishment doesn’t serve female guests.”
“What? What kind of rule is that? Openly discriminating based on gender? Listen here, she’s rich enough to buy your entire shabby shop!”
Ji Shiyu pushed the now pale-faced Xiao Xinran forward.
Her alchemy skills were so-so, but her ability to find a scapegoat was top-notch.
If there was no other sucker to foot the bill, there was always Miss Xiao.
“I@#¥%!?”
The doorman Gui Nu was at a loss, unsure how to respond.
“If you want to embarrass yourself, don’t drag me into it. How could Young Master possibly be in a place like this!”
Xiao Xinran punched Ji Shiyu on the head, then grabbed her by the collar, dragging the unfortunate girl away.
The little yellow-haired troublemaker, classic rebel that she was, only became more determined to enter the more she was forbidden.
“Damn Nan Tong Club, refusing female guests? That little pervert is always fooling around with the Ghost of the Sea. Did he really come here to do that sort of thing…? Wait, I have an idea!”
Ji Shiyu and Ao Tian exchanged a scheming glance, then dashed into a corner clothing shop to buy two sets of men’s outfits.
“Ta-da! As long as I turn into a man, I can get in, right?”
In the dark alley, the golden-haired girl transformed into a yellow-robed nobleman—handsome, elegant, and dashing—though her chest muscles were a bit too robust.
“I’m not going to such a filthy place. Go alone if you want!”
Xiao Xinran shivered in disgust.
Just thinking of what kind of place Silver Sparrow Terrace was made her feel ill—she certainly didn’t want to explain it to this idiotic girl.
“Then I’ll find Yun Liu by myself. If you’re scared, go back to the Court of Blossoms.”
“Who said I’m scared!”
Watching Ji Shiyu stride confidently toward Silver Sparrow Terrace, Xiao Xinran clutched her own men’s clothes, stomping in frustration.
There was no way she’d let that yellow-haired brat get ahead of her in exploring a brothel!
Soon, a red-clad youth with rosy lips and gleaming teeth followed, cursing under his breath.
Ji Shiyu grinned mischievously, slinging an arm around Xiao Xinran’s trembling shoulders as they entered the tower together.
The doorman looked confused. He could swear he’d seen them somewhere before, but signaled politely.
“Gentlemen, may I see your invitations?”
Ji Shiyu’s expression changed slightly.
The Nan Tong Club had high standards—even used invitations.
Her eyes flickered.
“Insolence! Is this your first day on the job? You don’t even recognize us?”
“Um… may I have your names, Young Masters?”
Gui Nu shrank back, intimidated by the yellow-clad youth’s aura.
To be honest, he was indeed new and didn’t recognize any of the powerful nobles.
Just earlier, the madam herself had to entertain a guest, nearly costing him his job.
“Open your dog eyes and look! This is the eldest young master of the Xiao Family—a royal guest! If you disturb my young master’s mood, not even a hundred heads will be enough to save you!”
Gui Nu recoiled in panic. He might not be bright, but he’d heard of the wealthy clans of the Southern Territory.
Outside these walls, identities are what you make them—like teacher, like student!
With luck, they passed through without incident.
Furious, Xiao Xinran grabbed Ji Shiyu by the neck, dragging her into Silver Sparrow Terrace.
“You—you bastard, do you even know you’ll be the death of me!?”