As Li Miao uttered those words, the room instantly fell silent.
Only the courtesan, struggling, continuously let out gasping sounds from her throat.
The wealthy young master, however, simply did not believe it.
He was quite rich and usually spent his time among women. There wasn't a single courtesan in all of Huguang that he hadn't played with. How could he possibly not distinguish between male and female?
This courtesan named Rui'er was not only not a man, but a woman among women! She was softer and more considerate than all the courtesans he had seen and slept with before. If not for that, how could he have stayed in her boudoir for half a month straight?
"Disguise? Do you take me for a country bumpkin? How can you utter such absurdities?"
The wealthy young master said coldly.
As for simple tricks like sticking on a beard or applying some makeup to look slightly different from usual, most wandering martial artists knew a trick or two.
But true "disguise" techniques had been lost in Great Shuo.
The reason was simple: this technique posed too great a threat to the imperial court.
At the beginning of this dynasty, there was a person who, having acquired this technique from an unknown source and possessing extraordinary talent, secretly cultivated it to a high level. He only knew this disguise technique but lacked lightness skill or combat methods, so he couldn't impersonate others. He wasn't a clever man either, and under the pangs of hunger and cold, he made a very, very foolish decision.
He disguised himself as the then-Prime Minister and then went to eat a bowl of wontons.
He didn't pay.
Heaven help us, that was the Prime Minister who founded the dynasty, a figure whose deeds were to be recorded in history.
So, no one dared to truly fuss over such a small matter.
Thus, he grew bolder and bolder: changing clothes, frequenting brothels, injuring people by riding his horse wildly in the streets, and even hitting the officials who came to inquire. With that face, no one dared to hold him accountable.
When the matter reached the Emperor's ears, the Emperor was furious and ordered the Jinyiwei (Imperial Guards) to bring the Prime Minister before him for questioning, earnestly asking him if he had been treated unfairly, if he needed gold and silver rewards, and even hinting, "You don't have to be so incorruptible; I understand the principle that clear water has no fish. Just be a little greedy, don't do such disgraceful things."
The Prime Minister was so ashamed he almost wanted to bash his head against a pillar and die.
Later, the Jinyiwei (Imperial Guards) investigated the matter, killed the person who could disguise, and then extensively scoured the land, making such techniques completely a legend.
Thus, it was no wonder the wealthy young master didn't believe it.
Moreover, he had not only "seen" her, but had also "used" her thoroughly, inside and out. How could she possibly be a man?
Li Miao sneered, said no more, and channeled his internal energy through his meridians into the courtesan's body.
As the wealthy young master's face turned pale, the courtesan's bones and muscles twisted and shifted under her skin, like a piece of paper being unfolded. In just a moment, she transformed into another person, clearly a slender, delicate man.
The wealthy young master was first startled, then carefully examined the man's face, letting out a long sigh of relief.
"Good, good, he's a delicate one."
He had also played with men. Keeping boy servants was not uncommon in Great Shuo; as long as they were good-looking, it wasn't considered shameful.
One could only say that wealthy people might not be as happy as the poor imagined, but the "happiness" of the wealthy was utterly unimaginable to the poor.
Li Miao frowned at his reaction.
He flung the man to the ground and placed a foot on his pelvis.
Crack!
"Ah ah ah!!!—"
With a tragic scream, the man's hands clawed wildly in the air, crawling haphazardly on the ground, but his lower body showed no reaction, flailing about.
"Everyone from your Ming Cult recognizes me; I won't say more. You will surely die today, but how you die, for how long, whether you die in a heap, a lump, or a puddle, still makes a difference."
"This kind of technique isn't something just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can learn, and you're a first-rate master, so your status isn't low."
"Speak, where is Ji Tianrui?"
The courtesan's heart had already turned to ashes. In desperation, he looked up at the wealthy young master and said piteously, "An-lang, a day as husband and wife creates a hundred days of kindness. For the sake of our half-month together, save me!"
The wealthy young master, however, spat.
"Originally, as long as you were good-looking, this young master didn't care if you were male or female. But I paid, and you offered your beauty; we were even. Yet you deceived me."
"I paid to sleep with a woman, but you're a man. This is called 'goods not matching the description.' My An Family started as merchants, and we don't have a family tradition of being lenient towards those who swindle us."
With that, he cupped his hands towards Li Miao.
"Great Hero, thank you for your assistance. I, An Ziyang, have only ever been deceived by women. If word got out that I was deceived by a man for half a month, I'm afraid my friends would mock me for many years."
"This saber was collected by my father; it cuts iron like mud. The scabbard is sharkskin, and the hilt is ivory inlaid with jade, extremely precious. I present it to you as a token of my gratitude!"
He set down the saber and strode out of the room.
Upon reaching the first floor, the madam came forward, asking about the commotion earlier.
An Ziyang calmly tossed a stack of silver notes to her, saying, "A friend came over, and we played a bit wild. I've booked that area for today; no matter what sounds you hear, don't disturb us." The madam beamed, nodding in agreement.
It wasn't until he stepped out the door and onto the street that An Ziyang's face relaxed, sweat pouring down him as he gasped for breath. Then, he ran desperately into the distance.
Li Miao watched him disappear from sight with a smile, shaking his head.
"Interesting, quite clever."
He then turned back and walked to the courtesan's side, kicking him in the chest.
"Hoo—hoo—"
The courtesan suddenly straightened his body, eyes wide with fury, letting out a beast-like shriek.
Li Miao walked to a nearby chair and sat down, picking up a still-intact flask of wine. He took a clean cup and leisurely poured himself a drink.
"Today is the seventh day of the twelfth lunar month. To find you, I've killed thirty-seven Ming Cult scoundrels in the past four days, along with over a hundred and forty worthless lives."
"You must know where Ji Tianrui is. I have plenty of time and methods."
Li Miao glanced at him and said faintly.
"Just hold on. In half an hour, I'll switch to another method to torment you."
——————
The eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, dawn was breaking.
Li Miao walked onto the street and stretched lazily.
He began walking in a certain direction.
A moment later, he arrived outside a magnificent, sprawling courtyard. He raised his foot, intending to walk in.
The doorkeeper at the entrance extended a hand to stop him, politely asking, "May I know your esteemed name? If you are acquainted with the master of the house, I can inform him in advance to avoid neglecting an honored guest."
"It is my duty. If I offend you, I beg your forgiveness."
The profession of a doorkeeper required the keenest observation and was least likely to be filled by an arrogant person. This man was clearly accustomed to the trade, speaking flawlessly.
Li Miao glanced at him, smiling silently.
Bang!
The doorkeeper flew backward, spitting out a string of fresh blood in mid-air. After hitting the ground, his head tilted, and he lost all signs of life.
"A second-rate master, cultivating the direct lineage internal martial arts of the Ming Cult's Thick Earth Banner. Do you take me for blind?"
Li Miao said, walking inside as if no one else was present.
"What's that commotion?!"
"Who is it?!"
A group of guards heard the noise and rushed out from the side rooms. They first saw the corpse on the ground, their faces turning pale. Then, they looked at Li Miao, their hands trembling involuntarily.
This was Quanzhou Prefecture City, the An Family's residence!
Where did this fierce individual come from, who just killed his way in!
Even if he were a hero from the Green Forest Road, acting so recklessly, wasn't he afraid of the Jinyiwei (Imperial Guards) coming to his door?
The leading guard hesitated for a moment, then solemnly addressed Li Miao.
"Your Excellency, are you here for wealth or revenge? If for wealth, I can report to the master of the house; I guarantee you will be satisfied."
Li Miao didn't respond at all, narrowing his eyes and scanning left and right.
He already had a complete grasp of these guards' martial arts foundations.
Li Miao raised his hand into a palm and pressed down into the air.
Buzz!!—
A buzzing sound.
Dozens of guards felt a sudden, immense force pressing down on them, like Mount Tai crushing them, impossible to resist. In an instant, they fell to their knees like harvested wheat stalks, unable to support themselves, then all collapsed onto the ground.
"Evil magic! Evil magic!" the leading guard screamed in his heart.
This was not martial arts at all!
Li Miao paid no mind, walked to one man's side, raised his foot, and stepped on the man's head, slowly pressing down.
"Is Ji Tianrui still here? You have three breaths to answer."
"One, two."
"Three."
Bang!
The skull was crushed, red and white matter splattering outwards, splashing onto the other guards' bodies and faces.
Li Miao then walked to another person's side, raising his foot and stepping on his back.
"All of you, you only have three breaths."
"One, two."
"Three."
Bang!
The same scene repeatedly unfolded, and in a moment, three or four people died without complete corpses.
The leading guard's head was pressed down so that he couldn't turn it, only able to see a pair of boots constantly walking past him. Each time they passed, there was a "one-two-three," and then liquid splattered onto his body.
They didn't even have time to let out wails or screams before dying on the ground.
He could neither see how Li Miao killed people nor determine if he would be the next to die.
He was terrified to the extreme; if he could still move, he would rather commit suicide than endure such torment.
The boots passed in front of him for the fifth time.
They stopped in front of him.
"No! No... no!"
"Don't, don't..."
He struggled to speak: "I don't know any Ji Tianrui!!! Please! Don't kill me!!!"
Li Miao raised an eyebrow: "Of course I know you don't know him."
"I want to ask you, what major events have happened in the residence these past few days?"
"Has anyone's appearance remained unchanged, but their behavior been unusual? Or is there a place in the residence that no one usually goes to, roughly large enough to hide twenty or thirty people? Tell me everything."
——————
In the back hall of the residence, inside the study.
"Father, it's absolutely true!"
An Ziyang said to a pot-bellied, middle-aged man dressed as a wealthy merchant.
"That person clearly said he was looking for Ji Tianrui!"
"People from the Ming Cult are hiding right here in our Quanzhou Prefecture City!"
He paced a few steps inside the room, then turned to the middle-aged man and said.
"Father, we cannot get involved in this mess! Even Shaolin couldn't stop them; Master Xing Chi has already passed away!"
"If we get entangled, I'm afraid our whole family will die!"
"Let's run! Forget the family business; as long as we're alive, our father and son can always rise again!"
The middle-aged man frowned, stroking his beard, and raised a hand to signal An Ziyang to sit down.
"In chaos, first think clearly, then make plans. Otherwise, it might be even more troublesome."
"What level is that person's martial arts?"
An Ziyang reached for a teacup, drank it in one gulp, and took a breath before speaking.
"I don't know."
The middle-aged man said in surprise, "You don't know?"
"You've practiced martial arts since childhood and are almost at a first-rate level now. You can't even tell what level he is?"
An Ziyang smiled bitterly: "Yes, I just can't tell."
The middle-aged man pondered for a moment, then asked, "How did you come across that courtesan? What did you talk about in between? Tell me in detail."
As An Ziyang recounted the story, the middle-aged man's face grew increasingly grim, his brows furrowed tightly into a knot.
He thought for a moment, then spoke solemnly.
"This is bad."
"Our father and son, I'm afraid we've fallen into the Ming Cult's scheme."
"Tell me in detail about the appearance of the person who exposed the courtesan's identity."
An Ziyang described Li Miao's appearance, and as the middle-aged man listened, a faint, almost imperceptible shadow flickered in his eyes.
He hesitated for a moment, then made a decision, suddenly standing up.
"Disguise, able to imitate even the difference between male and female so perfectly... This is bad!"
"And what Ming Cult hiding in Quanzhou Prefecture City!"
"That damned Ming Cult, I'm afraid they're hiding right here in our own home!"
"Go, leave now! Don't take anyone or anything; let's use lightness skill to jump onto the roofs and leave directly!"
An Ziyang's face turned pale upon hearing this.
But he had lost his mother at a young age and relied on his father, and together they had built this family business. Both deeply trusted each other's judgment.
Without any hesitation, An Ziyang suddenly stood up and walked with the middle-aged man towards the door. They pulled open the door, intending to use lightness skill to jump onto the roof and leave.
But they both froze in place.
At the doorway, Li Miao held a piece of silk, torn from who knew where, and was standing on the steps, meticulously wiping the red and white matter from his boots.
He looked up, saw the two, and smiled kindly.
"Oh? Are you two going out?"
An Ziyang didn't answer immediately, looking up at the corridor outside the courtyard, and cold sweat instantly broke out.
On that corridor, scarlet liquid was splattered everywhere, but no corpses were to be seen.
Looking at the amount of liquid... there must have been more than two or three people.
An Ziyang's mind raced, and he managed a forced smile.
"Your Excellency, is there something you need me for?"
"Are you perhaps not satisfied with the saber I sent you last night? No matter, my An Family has plenty of wealth, and we have some reputation in the martial world. In the backyard, there are weapons my An Family has collected over the years, all sorts of weapons. Among them are a few fine swords, all famous divine weapons from the previous dynasty's martial world."
"If Your Excellency is interested, I will present them all to you."
Li Miao glanced at him, smiled, and then pointed at the middle-aged man.
"I'm not here for you; I'm here for him."
He turned to look at the middle-aged man standing beside him and said faintly.
"Why aren't you speaking? Are you scared now that you see it's me?"
An Ziyang first frowned, then was suddenly startled, turning to look at the middle-aged man.
"Father!"
The middle-aged man still didn't speak, his eyes fixed intently on Li Miao.