The sky was still bright when Long Ming strolled toward the Emerald Flower Palace. It was two hours before official business hours, yet the guards at the entrance didn’t even bat an eye. They simply bowed respectfully and opened the side door for him without a word.
Inside the guard room, two burly men exchanged glances after he passed.
"Again? That guy really comes and goes as he pleases..."
"Shh, lower your voice. You want to die?"
The older guard leaned in, whispering, I heard that it’s the owner herself who ordered everyone to not stop him. Some say he’s related to the owner... maybe even her secret lover?"
"Bullshit. If he were her lover, why would he still visit other girls every other night?"
"Then maybe he’s belongs to some Ancient Clan or sect??"
The younger guard scratched his head. "Who knows... that fellow is too mysterious. Handsome face, endless money, and even the top courtesans fight to serve him. If he isn’t the hidden owner, then I don’t know what he is."
---
Inside the palace, the old lady who managed the courtesans was grumbling while checking the account books when a servant informed her someone was looking for her. Her face immediately turned sour.
"Who dares disturb me at this hour—"
The moment she saw Long Ming walking in with his usual lazy stride, her expression flipped completely. A bright smile bloomed on her wrinkled face.
"Aiyo~ Young Master Long! What a rare guest! Come, come, sit down. I’ll call the best girls for you right away. And the best wine—"
Long Ming waved his hand with a chuckle. "No need for all that today, Granny. I’m here to meet Qing Baili."
The old lady’s smile stiffened a little. "Ah... the manager is quite busy right now..."
Before she could finish making excuses, a calm, formless voice echoed directly in the hall.
"Let him come up."
The old lady immediately shut her mouth and bowed. "As you wish."
Long Ming grinned and headed upstairs.
---
Qing Baili’s private room was on the top floor. When Long Ming entered, he saw the beautiful manager buried under piles of reports, jade slips, and scrolls. Even though she handled one of the biggest pleasure houses in the city, her own beauty was no less than Black Peony, the current top courtesan.
Long Ming didn’t stand on ceremony. He lounged straight onto the soft couch opposite her, legs spread wide in a classic man-spread.
Qing Baili didn’t even look up from her documents. "Why are you here again?"
Long Ming clicked his tongue. "Aiyo, Baili, can’t you greet this handsome brother properly? Look at you, working so hard. Your chest must be tired from carrying all that weight every day."
Qing Baili finally raised her head and sighed. "A man’s nature truly cannot be changed."
At that moment, a pretty maid entered with a tea set and snacks. She placed everything neatly in front of Long Ming. As she bent over, Long Ming casually reached out and gave her round butt a firm squeeze.
"Good girl~" he praised with a wink.
The maid blushed but smiled sweetly instead of getting angry. Qing Baili rolled her eyes and spoke without lifting her head, "If you don’t want to walk properly for the next few days, you’d better keep your room door closed tonight."
The maid’s face turned redder as she quickly retreated.
Long Ming laughed heartily and took a sip of tea. "Speaking of which, how is everything at Golden Veil Shop? Is Miss Deng doing fine?"
Qing Baili nodded. "Everything is running smoothly. Maybe a little too smoothly. Just how talented are you in the art of Treasured Clothes Crafting? Even I’m starting to get curious."
Long Ming rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Not all my talents were sealed by the Infinite Star Roulette, you know."
For a brief moment, his eyes turned distant as he recalled Four Seasons Valley, Mu Qinglian, his master Xia Yuqing, and the others. A small sigh escaped his lips.
Qing Baili noticed the change but didn’t comment. Instead, she asked, "So, what information do you want this time?"
Long Ming leaned back comfortably. "Zhuo Clan, Wen Family, and the general conflicts happening in Flying Eagle City. Give me everything."
Qing Baili looked at him and extended her delicate hand, palm up, with a smirk. "Money."
Long Ming rolled his eyes dramatically. "Does a handsome man like me really need to pay?"
Qing Baili’s smirk turned slightly evil. "Even the most handsome man has to pay for information in my palace."
Long Ming clicked his tongue but didn’t argue. Qing Baili finally put down her documents and began explaining.
"Among the many halls under the Feng Imperial Clan, White Crane Hall is responsible for managing Flying Eagle City. This entire city and its hundred million population fall under their jurisdiction. The Azure Scale Clan has always been close to White Crane Hall, and both of them support the Tenth Prince, Feng Hanxiao."
She paused for a moment before continuing, "The real reason for the recent turmoil is that next year, the Silent Stone Tower — a cherished secret realm — will finally appear after ten thousand years. Flying Eagle City is the closest and best staging ground to enter it. Every major power is secretly fighting for more influence and resources before the tower opens."
" Flying Eagle City has most resources through the Empire. So, as long as one controls it, raising an entire force wouldn’t be an issue." Long Ming pondered, making Qing Baili nod.
" I got the news that someone tried to tamper with the Willow Garden Hunt. However, thanks to that winner kid, nothing major happened. However, the White Crane Hall is looking into the matter."
" Speaking of which...You should stay careful." Qing Baili looked at Long Ming, " The Zhuo Clan is really eyeing the antique street, and that Cloud Wing Antique Shop."
" They are still eyeing?" Long Ming raised his brows. Qing Baili chuckled, " Well, now I think...Informing you is useless. It should be the Zhuo Clan who should stay careful. Else their lineage would really perish."
Long Ming smiled as he stood up, taking the scroll. He reached out to pay for the scroll, but Qing Baili stopped him.
" By payment, I didn’t mean spirit stones. We have plenty of them. Give something else."
" How shameless, Manager Qing?" Long Ming gasped, " You really asking this poor scholar to pay with his body? My my, to think you are this kind of woman..."