System: I Can Open Martial Arts Chests-Chapter 136 - 101: Doing One’s Utmost

The exchange of glances didn’t last long before it was interrupted by the voice of the old procuress.

"Everyone who’s come tonight must know Miss Ling Fei.

"Though she hasn’t been at our Celestial Fragrance Tower for long, in just a short time, she has become our top courtesan.

"The girl is skilled in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, in poetry and song, her figure graceful, and her dancing unparalleled.

"The Celestial Fragrance Tower is not a place to stay forever. Such a fine girl, I can’t bear to see her waste away here, can I?

"So, I’m thinking of finding her a good match..."

"Enough with the nonsense!"

The old procuress’s incessant sales pitch was interrupted as a fat, bejeweled man smacked the table and stood up:

"I’ll pay a hundred taels!!"

The old procuress’s face turned dark, thinking: a hundred taels to take away the courtesan from here?

What a pipe dream!

But she wasn’t worried; in an auction, you had to start low, and if someone was willing to pay a thousand taels of patterned silver, the deal would be immensely profitable.

"Without money, you dare to play the romantic?"

As expected, someone immediately mocked and raised a hand to bid:

"Five hundred taels!"

The old procuress’s eyes lit up; this was an offer with sincerity.

She immediately said with a smile:

"Oh my, young master, seeing you like this, even my heart is moved."

The person, feeling quite disgusted, rolled his eyes:

"If you want to leave with me, you’d have to pay me five hundred taels."

His words brought laughter from the whole crowd.

Ling Fei sat upright on the high stage, her eyes filled with emptiness, only occasionally looking at Cao Qiupu, at which point a hint of light would arise in those hollow eyes.

Chu Qing looked at the two, deep in thought.

The earlier exchange of glances had already shown there was something amiss with these two. It now seemed... could it be Cao Qiupu’s past love debt?

His hand grasped a drinking cup, seemingly overwhelmed.

He coughed slightly:

"If you break something, you have to pay for it."

Cao Qiupu turned a deaf ear to this.

Bian City, who was watching for amusement, was bewildered by Chu Qing’s remark.

Chu Qing gestured towards Cao Qiupu with his lips, and then Bian City understood.

He immediately rolled his eyes and raised his hand:

"Eight hundred taels!"

Cao Qiupu turned suddenly toward Bian City, eyes filled with surprise and anger.

Bian City, with a half-smile, said:

"Hero Cao, if you’re interested, you should bid quickly. This girl is beautiful; if you’re late, she might fall into someone else’s arms."

"I..."

Cao Qiupu was at a loss:

"I... I have no money..."

These words clearly admitted to some matters.

The people downstairs became somewhat annoyed by this price increase, glancing up at Chu Qing and his group, but then retracting their necks.

Those who travel the Martial World could tell at a glance that these people upstairs were not to be trifled with.

Despite their annoyance, they had to swallow it, merely muttering under their breath:

"A thousand taels!"

This was truly a gamble because if one angered the Jianghu people, they might have the money to spend but not the life to enjoy what they bought.

For now, it was just a matter of pride, not willing to give up so easily.

Cao Qiupu was breaking out in a cold sweat on his forehead.

Chu Qing clicked his tongue in wonder; on the day at Qingxi Village, against the overwhelming Sword Puppets, Cao Qiupu had not looked this way.

Was it truly that even a hero had difficulty passing the beauty barrier?

While thinking, he heard footsteps approaching from the side; a servant was bringing a plate of side dishes:

"Guest, the dishes are here."

Chu Qing glanced at the man and suddenly grabbed his wrist.

For no apparent reason, he turned and struck the man on the chest.

With a loud bang.

The man didn’t even groan, flying backward directly.

The hand hidden under the plate still clutched a short knife tightly as he flew away.

His body smashed down towards the first floor, causing an uproar immediately.

"Assassin!"

It was unclear who shouted in bad luck.

The whole Celestial Fragrance Tower instantly fell into chaos.

Chu Qing frowned slightly, hearing the sound of breaking wind by his ear.

A shadow flickered beside him, and a fist was suddenly thrown.

Taiyi Divine Fist!!

The one who struck was Bian City.

In today’s chaos within the Divine Blade Hall, Bian City had been on the sidelines from start to finish, mostly protecting Gentle and Mo Duxing, scarcely making any moves.

The final punch struck Pei Wuji.

But at that time, he was too far away and was affected by the Chaotic God Saber, unable to exert his full strength.

Now, as this punch started, it was as if it sucked all the surrounding air away, and when the fist momentum was released, the wind blew like a tornado.

The hidden weapons nearby had no chance to approach before they were blown away.

Dark figures appeared from windows, corridors, and stairs, unhesitatingly charging toward Chu Qing’s group.

"Who are they?"

Bian City looked confused and turned to Chu Qing:

"Are they looking for you?"

Chu Qing glanced at Gentle:

"Maybe."

As soon as he spoke, a Single Saber was already approaching him, he clenched his right hand and struck a punch.

The chilling energy accompanied by the punch, the man’s entire body was covered with a layer of ice at a speed visible to the naked eye, flying back with a whistle, crashing into several black-clad people nearby.

These people were invaded by the cold air, unable to move for a moment.

At the same time, a crashing sound came from above, and more black-clad people dropped down from above.

One palm reached out, directly aimed at Gentle.

Gentle remained calm, bending his finger towards the sky.

The fingertip met the palm with a soft pop, and a streak of blood gushed from the palm, pierced by Gentle’s Finger Force.

Following that, Gentle reached out, clutching the acupoints like Neiguan and Yangchi on the man’s wrist, and as the force passed through, it permeated the entire body.