High Martial Arts Three Kingdoms: The Incompetent Strategist

The next morning, as the sun rose, its rays bathed the city of Luoyang.

Tang Ke then led his team out onto the streets and began wandering the world.

Shops along the streets reopened, and people gradually returned to their usual busy lives. The assassination attempt the previous night became a topic of conversation and a hot topic of discussion in the streets and alleys.

"I heard that yesterday the entire Imperial Guard was mobilized to track down the assassin for a whole day and night?"

"Yes, I've heard about it too. They say that two days ago, assassins attempted to kill His Majesty, but several escaped and are currently hiding in Luoyang!"

"I wonder if the assassin was ever caught?"

"Who knows? But since the elite guards have been dispatched, the assassin definitely can't escape."

The discussions among the people about the search operation reached Tang Ke's ears, their words filled with anticipation and curiosity.

It seems that the Chinese people's love for gossip is a fine tradition that has been passed down for thousands of years!

While sighing, Tang Ke pondered how to kill time during today's search. According to the intelligence from Yuan Shao yesterday, Ma Yuanyi had been thoroughly tormented by Jian Shuo, yet he still refused to reveal the location of his accomplices.

This means that Zhang Chu is still in Luoyang City, and pressing him too hard could easily expose their location.

"Brave warrior, have you seen these two people?"

"Sir, do you see these two people?"

The imperial guards, holding portraits of Zhang Chu and Dong Ruyun, kept asking passersby about them, only to be met with repeated shakes of the head.

"Ziyou, I don't think this is very effective. It's too conspicuous and will only arouse the suspicion of assassins. Besides, we, the Imperial Guards, are the Central Army. Going around asking people on the street like this is a bit beneath our dignity, isn't it?"

Cao Hong's large-scale search for Tang Ke was not to be underestimated.

"Superficial, don't you understand that we're mobilizing the masses?" Tang Ke grinned and pointed at the portrait in his hand, asking the woman peeking through the window on the roof, "Young lady, have you seen these two assassins?"

His response was a loud bang as the window slammed shut and Cao Hong's helpless look.

"I think I've seen this person at the brothel."

Just as Tang Ke was about to give Cao Hong a formal lesson in ideology, an old man squinted and leaned over to take a closer look, then pointed at the portrait of Dong Ruyun and said...

"Are you sure you've seen him and not slept with him?" Tang Ke looked at the old man, who didn't seem very serious, with suspicion.

Before he could reply, an old woman rushed up, grabbed his ear, and started yelling, "Well, you damned bastard, your family can't even afford to eat, and you still have money to go to a brothel?"

"Ouch, ouch, let go! I didn't go. I just saw it from the doorway. Be gentle..."

Watching the two figures disappear into the distance, Tang Ke suddenly had an idea.

Cao Hong, noticing the barely concealed smile on Tang Ke's lips, tentatively asked, "Ziyou, you wouldn't be thinking of going to a brothel for fun at a crucial moment, would you?"

"Of course not, I'm a respectable person." Tang Ke replied righteously, "Now, immediately organize your ranks and escort me to the brothel to find clues."

"..."

When Tang Ke led his team to this legendary den of iniquity, it was already noon. He first solemnly arranged for people to surround both the front and back entrances before swaggering in.

After quietly inquiring about the amount spent, Cao Hong silently abandoned the idea of ​​going in together and instead stood guard at the door under the pretext of preventing the assassin from escaping.

As soon as Tang Ke stepped through the carved wooden door, a madam with a beaming smile greeted him and led the way. The rich aroma of ambergris wafted towards him, instantly dispelling much of his fatigue.

Large red lanterns hung high in the courtyard, and although it was still daytime, the flickering candlelight illuminated the surroundings in a dreamlike manner. Light gauze curtains swayed gently in the wind, like swirling clouds, both concealing some of the spring scenery and adding a touch of mystery.

"Sir, you look unfamiliar. Do you know any girls here? Would you like me to recommend some?" The madam had already figured out that Tang Ke was someone important, and asked cautiously with a smile.

"No, this is my first time here." Tang Ke glanced at the row of smiling women in sheer dresses on the upper floor and asked, "Who is your top courtesan? Introduce me to her."

"Alright, come with me." The madam led him straight to a private room upstairs. The room was decorated with extreme luxury, and several artistic paintings and calligraphy hung on the walls.

On the round table in the middle of the room were exquisite tea sets. A woman dressed in red stood with her back to the door, her slender hand gently lifting the hot water as it flowed into the teacup like silk. The aroma of tea filled the air, and the rising steam seemed to soften and warm the air in the room.

"Sir, this is our newly arrived top courtesan. Are you satisfied?"

"Okay, sure." Tang Ke hadn't seen her face yet, but he was already captivated by her silhouette.

"Then please come in and have a seat." The madam tactfully withdrew and gently closed the door behind her.

"I never imagined there would be such a lady in this world of pleasure!" Tang Ke swaggered to the table, sat down, and picked up his teacup to drink.

"I never imagined that someone like Young Master Tang would come to this place of pleasure. The world is going to the dogs."

The familiar voice reached Tang Ke's ears, causing him to choke on his water and almost not be able to catch his breath. He coughed violently several times before slowly recovering.

Dong Ruyun's face had been completely disguised, making her unrecognizable from her previous appearance. The only thing that remained unchanged was her deep eyes, which seemed to be able to see into people's hearts.

Even after her disguise, her features remained soft and perfect, stirring emotions within people.

Just as Tang Ke was about to put down her teacup, a gleaming short blade slid out from her sleeve.

Tang Ke finally noticed her move the moment she made it. His eyes narrowed, and he threw the teacup in his hand. The tea turned into a streak of light and splashed towards Dong Ruyun's face. At the same time, he sprang up and bounced back like a shrimp.

"Hiss!" Dong Ruyun barely dodged the tea, which spilled onto the screen behind her, leaving a water stain.

Dong Ruyun nimbly turned and caught the teacup, while her short blade drew a graceful arc, aiming straight for Tang Ke's vitals.

The battle between the two unfolded quietly in this confined space. There was no clash of weapons, only the faint sounds of fists and feet striking each other, and the rapid breathing of the two men.

Tang Ke's martial arts skills were slightly superior. Although she suffered from being unarmed, every dodge and counterattack was perfectly timed, giving Dong Ruyun no opportunity to exploit. No matter how she changed her attack angles, she could hardly find a breakthrough.

The two fought back and forth, locked in a fierce battle, but both tacitly controlled the volume of their fighting to avoid alerting the imperial guards and guests outside.

"Bang!"

As a teacup fell to the ground, the madam's puzzled voice came from outside the door: "Sir, are you alright? Do you need any help?"