Joyous Lane.

The second quarter of the Hour of the Goat.

Qin Lu walked with his hands safely clasped behind his back, glancing casually at the shops lining both sides of the street. It was midday, and entertainment venues like chess rooms, teahouses, tile-roofed houses, and beast-fighting arenas were already bustling with activity.

The various cultivators who had traveled to Wuji Market for the first time to participate in the upcoming arena competition were now indulging in carefree amusement. Within Joyous Lane, they sought to soothe their nerves before the trials ahead.

As for those establishments that only became truly lively at night—brothels, male escort houses, elixir rooms, bathhouses, and gambling dens—they were currently deserted and quiet. Many courtesan cultivators who had just risen sat idly at their doorways. With plain faces and plump, graceful figures, they continuously sized up the passing cultivators with predatory interest.

“Ah! Isn’t that Fellow Daoist Qin! Are you coming to our shop again tonight?” a courtesan cultivator called out loudly as he passed.

“That’s right! Fellow Daoist Qin must definitely come over tonight. This sister misses you~” another cooed in a flirtatious tone.

This sudden recognition made Qin Lu feel a pang of guilt. He offered an awkward smile and a wave. “Uh… next time for sure!”

With an embarrassed expression, Qin Lu quickened his pace to escape the attention.

“Oh my! This Fellow Daoist Qin is quite shy!” A chorus of clear, melodic laughter followed him down the street.

As he continued along the road, Qin Lu’s attention was drawn by the sound of a commotion ahead. In front of a shop entrance, several burly cultivators wearing identical clothing were surrounding a down-and-out Loose Cultivator. They had him pinned to the ground, kicking and punching him without mercy.

“Huh, this shop again…”

This shop was none other than the Jishan Store, an establishment with which Qin Lu had quite a history. These cultivators in matching attire were the professional enforcers of the gambling den.

The fight attracted a small crowd of onlookers, but most were already accustomed to such scenes. In gambling dens like this one, it was a common occurrence for a Loose Cultivator who had lost everything to be thrown out. If they showed a bad attitude, a beating followed.

“Aah! Stop hitting me! Stop! Two days! I’ll repay the money in two days!” The man on the ground covered his head, pleading desperately.

Hearing the voice, Qin Lu raised an eyebrow. It sounded familiar. He focused his gaze.

The person being beaten was large-framed, with broad shoulders and a thick waist, appearing quite imposing. However, having been punched several times in the face, he was now a bloody mess. Although his features were distorted, Qin Lu recognized him instantly.

It was… Fang Hu!

Seeing his wretched state, Qin Lu fell into a moment of reflection. Fang Hu had caused him immense psychological pressure when he first transmigrated, making him fearful of the world and bringing him trouble on two separate occasions. Back then, Qin Lu had loathed the man with every fiber of his being.

However, after moving away from The Slums, Qin Lu had never seen him again. With his cultivation increasing, Qin Lu had eventually lost the desire to seek revenge on a minor character who was only at the fourth level of Qi Refining.

“Hmph! I’ll give you two more days. If you don’t repay the money then, dig your own grave and wait for me to bury you!” the lead enforcer spat viciously.

“Yes, yes… I’ll definitely repay…”

The enforcer sneered and led his men back into the Jishan Store. Fang Hu wiped the blood from his face, straightened his tattered robe, and scurried away with his head lowered to avoid the mocking gazes of the crowd.

Watching the retreating figure, Qin Lu felt as if he were looking at a ghost of his former self. He shook his head helplessly.

“Pathetic!”

Not long after, Qin Lu arrived at a grand restaurant. The exterior was a three-story building, exquisitely decorated. It stood out among the surrounding shops like a crane among chickens.

“Welcome to our humble establishment. Will you be dining or staying?” As he approached, a woman at the early Qi Refining stage greeted him with a professional smile.

“Dining!” Qin Lu replied simply and walked inside.

He had visited this place at least six or seven times over the past two months. The interior was decorated in a classical, antique style, and the main hall was filled with cultivators gathered around over a dozen tables.

The aromas of delicious food and the loud discussions of the patrons filled the air. Qin Lu found a corner seat, ordered several dishes and a pot of wine, and began to sip leisurely. His companion had not yet arrived.

After waiting for about an hour, the person he was expecting finally walked through the entrance. The newcomer had thick eyebrows, a square face, and wore spotless blue robes. It was Lu Xian.

“Old Lu! Over here!” Qin Lu raised his hand.

Lu Xian walked over and plopped into a seat, chuckling. “Hey there, Old Qin! You’re efficient as always; you’ve already ordered the spread!”

“Enough chatter. Come on; let’s drink!” Qin Lu poured him a cup of wine.

“Hehe! Sounds good!”

The two began eating and drinking, discussing the news of the market. Over these two months, Qin Lu had frequently invited Lu Xian out. He had realized after the Spirit Rice incident that staying cooped up indoors would turn him into a dullard. To establish himself securely, he needed a reliable source of information.

As an auctioneer, Lu Xian had the widest access to intelligence. Beyond that, their temperaments matched well. They enjoyed the same forms of entertainment—good food, wine, and relaxation.

Just as they were chatting merrily, a sudden argument erupted in the center of the restaurant.

“What kind of thing are you?! How dare you gossip about our sect leader behind his back?!” An angry roar shook the hall.

Qin Lu and Lu Xian watched as a young man in white robes pointed at a black-robed youth seated at the next table. The black-robed youth didn’t even look up; he slowly took a sip of wine and spoke calmly.

“Oh… I wondered who it was. Turns out it’s a foolish disciple of a foolish master.”

“You’re looking for death!”

The white-robed youth drew a blade from his waist and swung it with a burst of spiritual energy toward the other’s head.

Bang!

In the next moment, the white figure was sent flying. He crashed heavily against the restaurant wall, his weapon clattering to the floor as he was knocked unconscious instantly.

The restaurant went silent.

“Hmph! Overestimating yourself!” The black-robed youth hadn’t moved an inch from his chair. He continued drinking as if nothing had happened.

Qin Lu was startled. He recognized the white-robed youth as a “genius” disciple from the Green Mountain Sect. For this black-robed youth to openly insult and strike him was a direct challenge to the sect’s dignity.

Lu Xian sighed in a low voice. “That madman is as arrogant as ever, daring to strike in public like this.”

“Old Lu, you know him?”

“Naturally. That’s Yang Zhen, nicknamed ‘Madman.’ He’s an inner disciple of the Crane Gate Sect. His cultivation is likely at the ninth level of Qi Refining.”

“He isn’t afraid of the Green Mountain Sect seeking revenge?”

“He likely came with his own sect leader for the competition. His master is notoriously protective. Even if Shen Changbai came personally, he probably wouldn’t be able to reclaim his face.”

Qin Lu nodded. The market was currently a mixed bag; with so many Foundation Establishment cultivators arriving, “the waters were shallow but the turtles were many.”

“Moreover, I’ve heard this madman’s blade technique is incredible. He’s a hot contender to win the entire competition!” Lu Xian added quietly.

“I can tell.” Qin Lu agreed. From the single strike he had witnessed, Yang Zhen was a formidable opponent.

The restaurant manager hurried over to apologize and had the unconscious disciple carried away. Soon, the atmosphere returned to normal. They finished their drinks and left the restaurant, heading deeper into the market.