Jianghu Qimen Lu

The 22nd Master Thief of Rongmen

In a flash, Red Moon casually flicked her jade-like finger, sending sparks flying as she deflected all the silver needles with a tiny, thin blade held between her fingers! In the blink of an eye, she was behind Fragrant Fist, her slender hand seizing his arm. With a swift movement, the thin blade pressed against Fragrant Fist's throat! Seeing Fragrant Fist, one of the four most renowned martial arts families in the land, subdued by an unknown courtesan, the assembled heroes were utterly astonished. The six famous fist masters, no longer caring about capturing Black Sun or the unwritten rules of the martial world, shouted and leaped forward, surrounding Red Moon!

"Could it be that you are the infamous Red Moon, the leader of the Rongmen, who has shocked the world?" White Eyebrow Fist asked loudly. White Lightning was somewhat puzzled: "What Rongmen?" White Eyebrow Fist explained: "Lord Bai, being an official, you probably don't know: 'Better to give a gold ingot than to spread half a word of spring,' a slang term in the martial arts world, commonly known as 'spring point,' also called 'cut mouth.' In the martial arts world, if you don't understand this slang, you can't move an inch. Thieves' slang is called Rongmen." White Lightning sneered: "To put it bluntly, it's the leader of thieves, isn't it! Isn't that the lowest of the low in the martial arts world?" White Eyebrow Fist whispered: "Lord Bai, don't underestimate this leader of thieves. She's a master thief who has stolen from the whole world without ever committing a crime! It's said that she once boasted in the martial arts world that as long as the moon shines..." Wherever she shone, her red-clad figure followed, earning her the nickname "Red Moon." She was on par with the leader of the newly risen evil gang, the Sun Gate! One could imagine that her strength was not to be underestimated! "Red Moon giggled sweetly, "Old Master Bai is indeed worldly-wise. But speaking of which, now that your Southern Fist Sect leader is subdued by me, stop talking nonsense and get out of here!" Her jade-like face turned cold as she shouted, "Otherwise, this humble woman will have to offend you all—" With that, she thrust the blade forward, and Xiang Quan felt a sharp pain in her throat, blood seeping out slightly! She struggled, but her left hand felt like an iron clamp, unable to break free. Suddenly, she felt a numbness in her pulse point; Red Moon had struck another acupoint, leaving half her body numb!

Seeing this, Bai Shandian asked in terror, "What exactly do you want?" Hong Yueliang sneered, "What a question you ask, sir! I don't want anything. I just want to stay here quietly, playing my instrument and singing, without being disturbed!" Bai Shandian roared, "As long as you hand over the Black Sun, I can guarantee that I will never be your enemy, and we'll leave immediately!" Hong Yueliang snorted coldly from her snout, "You're really making things difficult for me, sir! What are you talking about, Black Sun and White Sun? I really don't understand! If you still don't believe me, you can search my room thoroughly!" Bai Shandian stared intently into her beautiful eyes, which were surprisingly clear and genuine! Without saying a word, seeing Zhang Kuang walking over with a torch, he quickly snatched the torch and shouted, "Let's go down into the cave and take a look!" He led the way down the steps! Seeing this, Zhang Kuang also followed, carrying his broadsword. The six famous boxers remained motionless, still watching Hong Yueliang closely, afraid that she would harm their leader. A warm feeling swept through Xiang Quan's heart, but he couldn't help but feel a chill at Bai Shandian's stubbornness, thinking to himself, "Is capturing Hei Taiyang more important, or is your wife's life more important?"

Bai Shandian, torch in one hand and sword in the other, stood ready with Zhang Kuang, secretly channeling his inner energy as they cautiously descended the cave. Soon they reached the bottom. To their left, the cave opened up into a large, secluded side entrance. Inside, a hidden world unfolded: stone tables and chairs, and a carved stone bed. Under the torchlight, the bed was fully bedding, adorned with brocade quilts and warm curtains—a truly luxurious sight. Through layers of gauze, one could vaguely see a beautiful young woman lying on the bed! Although it was late autumn, the cave was warm as spring. The beauty was barely covered, wearing only light clothing. Beneath the hazy gauze, her curves were partially visible, her figure alluring and shapely, revealing glimpses of her allure…

Even a gentleman like Bai Shandian blushed with embarrassment, exchanging a speechless glance with Zhang Kuang. The beauty must have already fallen asleep; she was snoreling softly, her lips slightly parted. Only then did Bai Shandian dare to venture out and circle the cave. Apart from a few old books on the stone table and two pipa hanging on the wall, there were no jewels or antiques. He'd probably been tricked by that rascal Huoshaoyun again! Bai Shandian surveyed the cave, finding nothing amiss, and reluctantly beckoned Zhang Kuang to leave.

Upon reaching the top, he coldly asked Red Moon, "What is the purpose of this secret room you've set up?" Red Moon sighed and said, "My lord, how could you know the suffering of those of us fallen into prostitution? When we have headaches and fevers and don't want to see guests, those masters and young masters still won't give up and will harass us relentlessly. We dare not refuse openly, so we have to say we've been hired elsewhere and secretly hide in the cave to recuperate." White Lightning said with a sigh of relief, "Alright, release Master Xiang now, and we'll leave your place immediately!" Seeing the sincerity on his face, Red Moon released Xiang's fist and quickly released her pressure points with her slender fingers. As soon as Xiang's fist regained its freedom, she launched a spinning, consecutive double kick at Red Moon, and the gold ring on her right middle finger shot out several cold beams! It was a fatal move, and the change happened in an instant. "Good heavens, Red Moon!" she chuckled, then darted behind the shrewish Hong Quan, using her as a shield. With a few hissing sounds, the silver needles struck Hong Quan's face, causing her to cry out in pain and fall to the ground, clutching her face and howling in agony! Seeing that she had mistakenly injured her subordinate, Xiang Quan quickly withdrew her fierce kicking attack, rushed over, and hurriedly pulled out the antidote, making Hong Quan swallow it. Liu Quan also bent down, opened his medical kit, took out a magnet, and used it to pull the hair-like silver needles from Hong Quan's face! He then applied some medicine before standing up. Xiang Quan wanted to cause trouble for Red Moon again, but Bai Shandian pulled her back, whispering, "You're no match for her. We'll deal with it later!" Xiang Quan could only glare hatefully at Red Moon before signaling the others to follow Bai Shandian away.

The night was dark and the wind was howling; it was pitch black. A dozen figures stealthily concealed themselves on the rooftops of the inner courtyard of the brothel, shrouded in mist and rain. Besides Xiang Quan and the six other fighters, Bai Shandian had specifically ordered Zhang Kuang to select ten sharpshooters from the Green Standard Army, hiding them on high points around the courtyard of Hong Yue Liang's brothel. Zhang Kuang was specifically instructed to order the immediate execution of Hei Tai Yang by flintlock pistols upon spotting him! If necessary, Hong Yue Liang should also be shot!

The only star in the sky had been blown away by the fierce north wind, and dark clouds covered the night sky, making the earth shrouded in darkness. It was as if a storm was brewing, a scene of impending doom. Everyone listened intently to any sound coming from the boudoir. They heard Red Moon, perhaps tired, softly instructing her maid to attend to her in bed. A moment later, the petite maid emerged with a basin of water, gently closing the door behind her as she walked away with light, quick steps. After a while, soft snoring could be heard from inside; Red Moon had probably fallen asleep.

"In this freezing weather, are we just going to waste our time and end up freezing all night?" Xiang Quan muttered. Bai Shandian stared intently at the door, pondered for a moment, and then asked, "According to the report from our lookouts, the woman in the basement hasn't come up. Think about it: for an ordinary person, who could endure not eating for such a long time?" Xiang Quan's heart skipped a beat, and she blurted out, "You mean you suspect that woman might be Black Sun in disguise?" Bai Shandian smiled slightly, "It seems my wife has become quite clever!" Xiang Quan glared at him reproachfully and laughed, "You think you're so clever! It seems Black Sun already knows that Fire Cloud has betrayed him, and he'll definitely leave tonight!" Bai Shandian smiled coldly, "My wife's analysis is quite correct! We need to be more patient, especially at times like this!" Hearing this, Xiang Quan felt a surge of excitement welling up inside her, and she no longer felt the cold!

After waiting for another incense stick's time, they suddenly heard strange noises coming from inside the incense nest. Although the sound was extremely faint, Bai Shandian, who had come from the imperial secret service, was still startled and quickly whispered to everyone to be careful.