Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

As dusk fell, the previously closed shops in the West Market gradually opened for business.

In an instant, the entire commercial district was brightly lit, and compared to the daytime, the night market in Xishi seemed to have a more lively and bustling atmosphere.

Especially the brothels and theaters, with their melodious music and seductive calls to attract customers, were incredibly alluring, causing passing men to become distracted.

Shen Lang, who should have been home and resting by now, surprisingly lingered in the West Market area again.

Looking at the newly opened brothels and imagining the women of the night on their beds, Shen Lang couldn't help but feel a surge of passion.

In this feudal era where martial arts were the main focus, entertainment activities were extremely scarce.

The greatest pleasure for ordinary people is listening to a piece of music or having in-depth conversations with these flamboyant women.

To be honest, since his transmigration, Shen Lang has never actually practiced this kind of thing.

The main problem was a lack of money. On the border of Bingzhou, there was a chance to swim across the three-mile-wide Han River in the dark to the border of Yan State. Then, for very little money, one could have a passionate and harmonious relationship with a woman from Yan State who had been exiled for committing a crime.

Many soldiers who were stationed in Bingzhou for a long time did the same thing, and each time they returned, they would boast about their great achievements on this mission.

In this matter, the border guards of Bingzhou and Yan State turned a blind eye and did not strictly manage the situation.

But the problem is that Shen Lang felt it wasn't worth swimming across the icy Han River just to go to a brothel.

Moreover, many soldiers, due to excessive indulgence in prostitution, exhausted themselves and sank to the bottom of the icy river on their way back.

Now, the courtyard I rent costs nine taels of silver a month, and after deducting food, drink and other expenses, there's really not much money left.

But today is different.

Having earned twenty taels from a side job, he couldn't help but want to go in and relax.

But he ultimately managed to suppress the impulse.

"Never mind, let's take care of business first. We'll deal with you guys later."

He reluctantly pulled his head away from the brothels and turned to enter a dark alley.

Little did he know that shortly after he entered the alley, a beautiful figure quietly followed him.

The world is composed of two poles, yin and yang; where there is light, there is darkness.

Behind the apparent prosperity of Jinling City, there are also some shady underground forces, especially in inconspicuous corners where shops gather.

"Hey, hurry up and place your bets, it'll be open soon."

Inside a casino, gamblers gathered around a gambling table, watching the dice cup bobbing up and down in the dealer's hand, their expressions filled with excitement.

boom--

With a crisp wooden clang, the dice cup was slammed onto the gambling table.

"Anyone still want to place a bet? It's about to open!"

The dealer's words immediately brought the atmosphere to a climax.

I'm betting on twelve!

"Thirteen o'clock!"

"Sixteen o'clock!"

The gamblers, their eyes bloodshot, completely lost their minds, slamming their chips down on the various point numbers marked on the table.

"It's open!"

"Three sixes, a leopard, a guaranteed win!"

The moment the lid was lifted, all the gamblers collectively sighed in despair.

Looking at the chips on the table, a dealer swept them directly towards the dealer with a long stick.

"Come again!"

Clearly, gamblers are unwilling to admit defeat and eagerly await the next round.

The entire casino hall was filled with smoke and chaos, with gamblers desperately trying to win back their losses. Those who had lost everything were even borrowing high-interest loans from the casino to gamble on their future.

Inside the casino, a middle-aged man with a scarred face was embracing a voluptuous woman, lying on the bed drinking and carousing.

The man's name was Chen Ba, the boss of the underground forces in Jinling, and the infamous leader of Jinling.

Just as the two were getting into the mood for a deeper conversation, there was a rapid knocking on the door.

"Tsk, damn it, what are you banging on? Are you trying to summon a ghost?"

Chen Ba was very annoyed that his interest had been interrupted, so he grabbed a machete, got up and opened the door.

A small man outside the door immediately said, "Master Chen, please calm down. It is Commander Shen who requests an audience."

"Huh? Why didn't you say so earlier? Hurry up and invite them in, and also order a table from HSBC Restaurant and have it delivered. Be quick!"

Upon hearing that Shen Lang had arrived, Chen Ba immediately dropped his machete, quickly sent the woman away from the house, and became much more respectful.

As for the reason, it was naturally because Shen Lang subdued him with force.

A moment later, Shen Lang strode into the inner room with an air of indifference.

"Hey, Boss Chen, you're living a pretty leisurely life, aren't you? You've already started eating? I haven't even eaten yet."

"You flatter me, sir. I have already sent someone to Huifeng Restaurant to purchase food and wine to entertain you. You didn't even inform me of your arrival, which puts me in a very awkward position."

Standing in front of Shen Lang, Chen Ba didn't dare utter a single word.

Don't let his youth fool you; when he gets really ruthless, it'll be a bloodbath.

I still remember a year ago, when Shen Lang first arrived, Chen Ba even planned to bribe him with money.

After being firmly rejected, Chen Ba actually sent out dozens of Karami, intending to give Shen Lang a hard time.

Then, with just a dagger, Shen Lang wiped out the entire group of Kalaka he had sent, and their bodies were sent to his doorstep to be hung up in the middle of the night.

From then on, Chen Ba developed a psychological aversion to Shen Lang and could not muster the slightest desire to resist him.

After subduing the largest underground force in Jinling, Shen Lang did not choose to eliminate them. Instead, he used them to provide him with the intelligence he needed and successfully completed the mission assigned by the Jingwei Division.

This is one of the reasons why Shen Lang can live off the government and roam freely every few days.

"Comfortable."

Shen Zhao leaned against the bed, pondered for a moment, twisted his neck, and clapped his hands to signal Chen Ba to sit down and talk.

"Lord Centurion, may I ask what brings you here to see me this time?"

"Go and find out what's been happening at the Green Robe Pavilion lately."

I heard they'll be arriving in the outskirts of Jinling in the next couple of days. Send me the news before tomorrow morning.

"Tsing Yi Building?"

Chen Ba frowned.

"My lord, the Green Robe Pavilion is not to be trifled with."

Shen Lang glared at him: "Whether I mess with them or not is my business, what does it have to do with you?"

All you need to find out is the number of people who came this time, and their cultivation levels.

As for the rest, don't ask questions you shouldn't ask.

"Yes, sir, I will certainly comply."

After saying that, he stood up and shouted towards the door, "Ghost Shadow!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a shifty-eyed fellow, who looked like a petty thief at first glance, stood respectfully in front of Chen Ba.

"Boss, what are your orders?"

“There are several disciples from the Green Robe Pavilion who will be outside Jinling City in the next few days. Go and investigate them thoroughly, and report back to the centurion before dawn. He is eagerly awaiting their arrival.”

"Yes, boss, I'll take care of it right away."

After the ghost finished speaking, it immediately did as instructed.

Chen Ba said with a smile, "Lord Centurion, this Ghost Shadow has no other skills, but he is quite clever."

"That's quite impressive lightness skill; it can cover eight hundred li in a day. It will surely bring you the news you need."

Shen Lang nodded: "Well done. I have something to attend to, so I'll be going now."

Chen Ba hurriedly said, "Commander, I have already ordered people to prepare a banquet, what do you think..."

"I'm not eating it," Shen Lang refused directly. "You can keep it for yourself."

After saying that, he left the casino without giving Chen Ba any chance to speak.

Chen Ba immediately went out to see him off, and only returned to his house after watching Shen Lang enter the dark alley.

As he walked home, Shen Lang felt as if someone was following him.

Turning around abruptly, I saw a bustling city with crowds everywhere.

"That's strange. Could it be because I didn't eat dinner?"

Muttering something under his breath, Shen Lang continued his journey home, filled with doubt.

After Shen Lang disappeared, Jiang Mengxuan appeared from a jewelry shop.

"So he was Shen Lang. What keen observation skills! He almost discovered my presence."

"This person actually managed to subdue Chen Ba, who has always been lawless. This Shen Lang is truly quite capable."

Although Jiang Mengxuan didn't know what Shen Lang and Chen Ba talked about, one thing was certain.

The largest underground force in Jinling has a close relationship with Shen Lang.

Moreover, judging from the contrast in their attitudes, Chen Ba was clearly very wary of Shen Lang.

If so, it means that this person's abilities are definitely higher than you thought.

However, judging from his conversation with Han Chaozong during the day, this man doesn't seem to care much about the Great Chu court.

"Let's go back to the palace first and investigate Shen Lang's records."