Book 16: Chapter 54
If one were to achieve the impossible and sense Ming Feizhen’s presence on the rooftops, they would have imagined they spotted a mobile phantom. Similarly, Ming Feizhen was surprised Gao Muya refused to spill a word despite being threatened to be stripped and made to walk birds after being thrown off a building. In the end, Ming Feizhen was forced to cover Gao Muya’s eyes, pretend to sell Hou Jiling to a brothel and act out the roles of the seller, the appraiser and buyer all on his own.
After being subjected to that level of torment, the two no longer knew what fear meant as they cursed and yelled at him as though they were driving him out when he left.
What’s their problem? Brothels are for dining. What were they crying about? Far out.
Although Ming Feizhen now knew their assembly point, it was hardly useful information. If anything, knowing that Gao Muya finally told the truth was possibly more useful information. A road opposite a lake, where there was lots of traffic was a great place to take advantage of the hustle and bustle. With that said, it was hard to imagine what sort of big goal could be achieved there when the large gathering would just make them extra conspicuous. So, not only did he find out nothing new about Hua Yumeng, but he also did not find out their destination.
Hua Yumeng initiated communications with the members, and he did not set a concrete meeting time or contact method. His supporters were people whom he had aided in some capacity and were volunteering to support him. It was likely that only a few people in the group actually knew him. Once they were contacted and arrived at the assembly point, perhaps another clue would be provided to direct them to other rendezvous points, which meant that maybe the others were told to meet elsewhere. Considering how secretive somebody had to be in order to not employ their own subordinates for a big project, Ming Feizhen grew increasingly curious about Hua Yumeng’s true identity. In terms of martial prowess, Hua Yumeng could not have been a mob character. Then again, the perverted group with Mr. An, the iron-faced guy, Gongsun Chu and so forth, they were all weirdly veiled characters.
Thankfully – and surprisingly – it was Hou Jiling who let something important slip.
“H-he is not intentionally sabotaging women’s reputations.”
Hou Jiling did not cower and sell out Hua Yumeng when Ming Feizhen barged into the room in the most hostile way possible. Instead, she bashfully defended Hua Yumeng to the point that Ming Feizhen thought Hua Yumeng was a good person for a moment in time.
“I have been miserable ever since my father wanted me to marry into an official’s family. I don’t know how Hero Hua found out, but he came to me and helped me. He ignored my reputation for the sake of helping me break off the arranged marriage. Many other girls in the city face their own difficulties, and he’s been helping them relieve their woes.