When the night fell, Wen Leyang was standing before a square shaped, giant matchbox-like steel grey-colored building.
On the street, every building appeared distinctive from the rest. Some had clearly-defined edges and corners with a towering and arrogant mannerism; some were in bright colors penetrating with joy; some had mottled colors as if a storm had just passed, trying to stand tall and upright desperately…the matchbox stood straight and narrow in between those buildings, appearing slightly hideous and clumsy in comparison to the rest.
Other than the matchbox, every single building displayed its signboard that Wen Leyang could not read. Rows upon rows of words and numbers formed into a different taste from the antique style of the City God Temple of Shanghai.
The street was slightly desolated, with only a few occasional passersby. They were discussing to one another softly of the peculiar event that took place in the City God Temple earlier.
Wen Leyang raised his head to look at the two large words written on the sidewall of the ‘matchbox’. The large words were written in lively and vigorous calligraphy saying ‘Painting Town’!
If one did not look closely at the steel grey-colored building and the large words written in black ink, one may not recognize it.
Wen Leyang was slightly surprised, he pointed towards the huge matchbox, “So this is the Painting Town?” Upon saying that, he emphasized out of concern, “The Painting Town of the Leyang family? The first family of the rogue cultivators!”
Liu Zheng was still wearing his tracksuit. He had his hands in the pocket as he laughed and cursed, “Nonsense! Otherwise, why would I bring you here?” Ever since the small demon rabbit Shan Duan left, Liu Zheng led Wen Leyang to return to Shanghai’s city area. The further they walked, the more bustling it became. They walked all the way from the suburbs to the downtown area. Wen Leyang asked for the location for a few times along the way but Liu Zheng only smiled as he told Wen Leyang to wait as he would know when he arrived at the Painting Town.
Wen Leyang was afraid that Liu Zheng might lie to him. He did not expect that this huge matchbox before his eyes was really the Painting Town and it was also literally called the ‘Painting Town’. “Leyang Wen is not from Shanghai, he spoke fluent Beijing accent.”
Liu Zheng chuckled as he explained, “The Painting Town engaged in rogue cultivation. They were not the Mountain Sect. The Leyang family had been in the mortal world all along and they engaged in the cultivation of more than just martial arts. They also cultivated in interpersonal relationships. The rogue cultivators that lived in the remote mountains regarded themselves as the living immortals that did not enter the mortal world, but in reality, no one could completely cut ties with the relationship of the earthly world of mortals. This was when the interpersonal relationship in the mortal world operated by the Painting Town on usual days came into play, for example…”
Wen Leyang interrupted as he laughed, “For example, the education of the Red Grandaunt’s grandchild?” This was the conversation he had overheard between Leyang Wen and the Red Grandaunt during his first trip to Mount Emei, .
Liu Zheng nodded, “You are right! The reason why the Painting Town is in the limelight amongst all rogue cultivators is, firstly, based on their actual power and secondly, based on their interpersonal relationship with the mortal world. No matter which rogue cultivator that has an affair in the mortal world, he will finally come all the way and get help from the Painting Town.”
Wen Leyang stretched out a finger and pointed towards the matchbox before his eyes, “I think you are getting off topic?”
Liu Zheng was at a loss for whether to laugh or cry as he shook his head, “I did not! Since the ancient times, the Painting Town followed where the emperor went. This way their interpersonal relationship could be secured and strong. That is why Wen Leyang could speak fluent Beijing accent. However, these days, the Painting Town operates in Shanghai as well.” As he was saying that, he stretched out his hand and pointed towards the two large words written on the matchbox.
Wen Leyang peered at Liu Zheng before he suddenly diverted the topic, “Still remember the first day we met each other in Shanghai when the giant pangolin was releasing his demonic primordial energy.”
Liu Zheng did not understand but he still nodded, Wen Leyang continued, “Back then, you told me that the Kunlun Mountains’ Wave-less Well was shaking…” Liu Zheng told Wen Leyang that it was because of the Wave-less Well’s shaking he came to Shanghai to investigate. However, Tian Shu told Wen Leyang that the reason Kunlun Sect came to Shanghai was because Tian Hua had delivered a message to them in the Taoist temple. Those two matters did not match one another but Wen Leyang did not look into this back at that point. He thought that all was well as long as he could differentiate the real situation there.
Liu Zheng hastily defended himself, “The well really did shake, it really did splash me with water. I did not lie to you about this. When the esteemed master received the enlightened person Tian Hua’s message, he entrusted me to stay and protect the Kunlun Mountains. However, after I was splashed with the water of the Wave-less Well, I knew that the matter was of great importance. That was why I rushed over to Shanghai.”
Wen Leyang waited for him to finish explaining. He laughed as he shook his head, “I wasn’t talking about this matter. What I meant was when I asked youwhether there were any other cultivators in Shanghai, you told me that Shanghai city was too lively and bustling, it was not good for those engaging in the cultivation of heaven…”
Liu Zheng sneered shyly, “It was because my esteemed master’s brother was involved in an accident, that was why we were investigating closely in Shanghai and found that this matchbox here that was in fact operated by the Painting Town. However, there wasn’t even one cultivator in there. I did not ponder on that too much. How would I know that the Painting Town was involved back then? Naturally, I did not think it was necessary to mention about all these. I could save my effort to explain.”
Upon saying that, Liu Zheng stopped for a moment. His tone of speaking became solemn, “Hanba did not just stay in Shanghai for one or two days. Since Leyang Wen had a connection with Hanba, of course, there was a need for us to investigate this ‘Painting Town’ building! The Painting Town’s old den was still in Beijing but in order to investigate Hanba’s whereabouts, this should be the more reliable spot here.”
Wen Leyang nodded as he pointed towards his surroundings, “What kind of place is this?”
Before his voice died away, a muffled bang was suddenly heard. In the blink of an eye, the entire street and all the buildings along the street simultaneously flashed with a scorching brightness!
The initial desolation of the street was shattered entirely by the colorful lights, the blooming charm and grace, turning the main street into dreaminess.
The steel grey-colored matchbox also bloomed with a gush of metal-like heaviness. Following that, the dusk of daytime turned into a chunk of lead that pressed onto one’s eyes all the way into one’s body, while the two black ink-colored large words turned into silvery white-color under the lighting, akin to the edge of a sharp knife, easily slashed open everyone’s heart. The delight was accompanied by sharp metal prickling pain that surged rapidly within everyone’s blood vessels!
Reflected in the lighting, the colorful buildings were showing off their individuality and seductiveness except the Painting Town, which was akin to a dagger that was placed in a pile of toys, waiting for the children to pick it up with an icy-cold stare.
Wen Leyang almost splashed out the Poison Stream’s undercurrent underneath his shoes. The entire street’s lighting was turned on in unison. It appeared not that different from when the Thunder Heart Sand was shot.
Liu Zheng’s gaze immediately became excited, “This place here is known as Xintiandi! It is the most affluent bar and entertainment districts in Shanghai!”
At the sound of a gulp, Wen Leyang swallowed his saliva. There was an excitement on his face that he could not hide, “This…this is a bar?” Wen Leyang was hanging out in the remote mountains in the recent few years, but when he was free he read books or newspapers or listened to the radio. He had since learned of the word ‘bar’ and he even knew that the bar was the place where the words of ‘pleasure’‘indulgence’‘intimacy’ and other hormone-related words converged.
Wen Leyang did not want to indulge but he wished that he could witness how one would indulge.
Liu Zheng appeared to be more modest than Wen Leyang, just a little bit more modest. He nodded his head strenuously, “One of the most famous bar and entertainment districts in the whole nation…y-y-you, what are you doing!” As he was saying that, he grabbed onto Wen Leyang’s arm.
Wen Leyang pointed towards the Painting Town, he spoke as a matter of fact, “I am entering!”
Liu Zheng appeared to be very seasoned, “We will come again after nine thirty at night! They are not opened for business yet. If we were to enter now we will be chased out by their staffs.”
Wen Leyang was obviously disappointed but he understood in his heart, that he was here to investigate a case, which was completely unrelated to whether the bar was opened for business. Based on his and Liu Zheng’s capabilities, they could easily sneak into the place in complete secrecy even with their eyes closed.
Liu Zheng was like a big brother that was encouraging his younger brother to pull himself together, “These days the Kunlun Sect has been investigating the culprit that harmed my esteemed master’s brother. Even though there are no cultivators here, it is still the Painting Town’s place after all. That is why we arranged a few disciples to keep watch. There were a few cultivators with an unknown background that came here last night but they did not enter. They circled around once and left.
Wen Leyang’s eyes brightened, “Were they here to scout? Why weren’t they followed?”
Liu Zheng peered towards Wen Leyang once as he gave a forced smile, “The initial plan was to follow them but you suddenly released the demonic primordial energy that scared them away in a flash. Either these people would never return anymore or if they did return, it will be tonight! We shall see what are they scheming with the Painting Town.”
Wen Leyang’s voice was resolute and decisive, “We must investigate the Painting Town and the people who are scheming with the Painting Town!”
Liu Zheng was beaming with delight as he pulled along Wen Leyang, “Let’s go, let’s go, let’s buy some new clothes!”
Liu Zheng was still wearing his torn tracksuit, while Wen Leyang’s branded shirt was torn in the battle of City God Temple. He was only wearing a piece of Kunlun disciple’s sweatshirt on his body. Wen Leyang had never been to the bar but he knew that his attire right now was not suited to the occasion.
The both of them changed into new clothes. By the time they were about to pay the bills, Liu Zheng took out a piece of ancient jade pretentiously. Wen Leyang gave him a ferocious stare.
Liu Zheng bought a new travel suitcase as well. He placed the flying sword wrapped in green cloth and the big-muzzled weapon into it. When they were having dinner, Liu Zheng acted mysteriously as he took out a piece of thin leather from the rucksack he carried on his body, and passed it to Wen Leyang.
Wen Leyang was joyous, he had seen this item from Bushuo and Buzuo’s place in the past. It was a human skin mask.
Liu Zheng spoke smilingly, “Ever since the gathering of Five Blessings on the Nine Peaks Mountain, you are a famous personage in the cultivation world. In the future, if you are planning to do something in secrecy, it is best for you to carry this item here with you.” When Wen Leyang was out in the past, there were always others who were following him, he had no needs for these small Jianghu items. He was pondering in his heart that it was time for him to prepare a rucksack for himself.
They felt as if grass was growing out from their hearts during the dinner. The dishes on the plates were akin to turning into grass. The two men were rather excited, yet they desperately pretended to be sturdy as ever. When the time reached eight thirty they finally could not sit still anymore…
Liu Zheng was still the more seasoned one, he pulled along Wen Leyang and looked for an ATM from the side of the street. He was muttering to himself as he took out a card from his bag and inserted the card into the machine. He laughed as he explained to Wen Leyang, “I am afraid that it might not be convenient for us to pay by credit card in the bar…” Before he could finish his sentence, at the sound of a tap, the ATM spat out his card without any hesitation, without even giving a sign.
Liu Zheng was astonished, he pointed towards the ATM, “It…it spat out the card?”
Wen Leyang finally understood that Liu Zheng was pulling him along so he could withdraw some money, he nodded ferociously, “It didn’t spit out the card, but it was spitting on you in disgust!” As he was saying that, he inserted his card into the machine. When he was keying in the password, his body was almost glued to the operation keyboard. Liu Zheng said smilingly, “After all, I am still the Kunlun Sect’s supreme leader, I will not covet for…”
Wen Leyang interrupted directly, “You’re unreliable!”
When they returned to Xintiandi again. The entire street had completely changed its appearance. Let alone its lively and bustling situation, the restlessness that was sleeping soundly in every corner of the street during daytime was completely veiled underneath every stretch of colorful lightning!
Wen Leyang and Liu Zheng put on the masks as they walked into the Painting Town rigidly. It had only just past nine o’clock and the club had yet to open officially but there was already a crowd in the Painting Town.
The moment they entered the place, a gush of heat and dryness immediately blew onto them. The rhythm of the dance songs that were used to warm up the ambiance was accompanied by the seductive tune.The two types of extreme opposite sounds crushed an intimate sensation heavily into every pore. It was the same for the rest of the bars. The perfect lighting turned one’s ordinary appearance into a beauty mystically. It also smeared a layer of seductive veil on the real beauty. No one cared. What everyone was more interested in should be the long and graceful legs.
Wen Leyang was slightly embarrassed, not because of those belly buttons that were cruising past him continuously, which seemed to be smiling at him. It was because the moment they entered, they immediately became the focal point. Almost everyone’s gaze would stop on their bodies for a while.
The little sister that was working as a hostess came over. Her face was stunned for a moment before she smiled, “These two bosses are so interesting!”
Wen Leyang frowned. He did not understand which part of him was interesting, so he turned to the side and peered at the little supreme leader Liu Zheng next to him. He was startled as well. As when Liu Zheng turned his head to look at him, that face did not belong to Liu Zheng but Andy Lau.
Wen Leyang could still recognize who Andy Lau was. He was both amused and annoyed as he tore away ‘Andy Lau’s’ mask, “I think you are better off without the mask!”
Liu Zheng frowned, “What’s wrong with Andy Lau?”
Wen Leyang knew that Liu Zheng was unorthodox but he did not know which part of Liu Zheng was unorthodox. He was even less aware that Liu Zheng was an idolater. He could not find a suitable word to scold him all of a sudden. A moment later, he continued and asked ‘Andy Lau’, “Who’s mask am I wearing, is it ‘Tony Leung’?”
Liu Zheng laughed loudly as he shook his head, “It’s Andy Lau as well!”
The little sister chuckled so hard she was bending over. She led both of them to a little booth and introduced professionally, “The cover charge for a usual day is one thousand and eight hundred bucks. Today is a weekend. Hence, the cover charge is three thousand eight hundred bucks.”
Both ‘Andy Laus’ that were clenching the masks in their hands gasped simultaneously. Wen Leyang wished that he could ask Liu Zheng if that group of cultivators would be there on a Monday instead.
At this point, the blasting dance songs suddenly stopped. The originally dimmed and intimate lighting was suddenly brightened and pierced ferociously into everyone’s eyes before it was rapidly extinguished. Wen Leyang immediately exercised vigilance. Another electronic hum was heard and countless sparks glimmered as it blasted out piercing radiance on the stage.It raised the entire crowd’s cheer in the blink of an eye. At nine thirty, ‘Painting Town’ was officially opened.
The agitated sound of music was akin to a mad beast that tore through all the anticipation in a flash.
The intimacy was just a process while the final destination was indulgence. The music right now was the prelude of intimacy, its vigorousness was not to disperse off the intimacy but it was for the young men and women that had already anticipated a long while to vent out their frustration. They had been in the arena since nine o’clock, they had already waited for half an hour…
Wen Leyang inhaled the chilled air while he browsed through the liquor beverage menu.
Liu Zheng cautiously advised him, “For the cover charge we pay, if we don’t order then it will be a waste…if we can manage to capture Leyang Wen, they might even give us a discount…”
Wen Leyang put up a long face, “But I don’t know these things here!” Every type of liquor available was written in English, followed by the marked price of three digits and above. Most of the prices were high.
Liu Zheng probed about and ordered a few. He confirmed with the waiter that everything he ordered was liquor before he heaved a sigh. He suddenly recalled something and asked the waiter, “Do you serve carrots here?”
The waiter was stunned for a moment, “We serve freshly squeezed tomato and carrot juice.”
Liu Zheng shook his head, “I don’t want it to be squeezed into juice, I want the whole carrot.”
The waiter was reluctant, “Then we will still charge by the price of freshly squeezed juice.” Liu Zheng nodded. By the time the carrot was served, Wen Leyang heaved a sigh. The plate of carrot was more expensive than all the carrots he ate in twenty years combined.
Liu Zheng looked at the fierceness that had just started spreading in the club excitedly, he said to Wen Leyang, “Relax, I am going to take a stroll outside.” As he was saying that he stood up and left.
Wen Leyang too nodded and poured himself a cup of liquor that he did not know its name. He placed two ice cubes into the drink pretentiously as he assumed the attitude of tasting poison. He cautiously took a small sip and laughed. The taste was albeit odd, it did not taste awful. It would only take some time for him to accustom to the taste.
Suddenly a series of ululation sound echoed from his chest, You’ve Got Me jumped out. Underneath the glimmering lighting, it slashed out a streak of graceful arc…and jumped into an empty glass. It tossed and turned around in the glass. Occasionally, it would surge towards Wen Leyang; occasionally, it crawled up to the liquor bottle and jumped about anxiously.
Wen Leyang burst out laughing. hH poured a small amount of liquor into the glass, leaving only the bug’s head above the liquor. He picked up an ice cube, knocked the ice against the glass’s rim. You’ve Got Me shook its head. It then dove straight into the liquor…a few seconds later, the liquor was still in the glass as You’ve Got Me floated around.
Wen Leyang laughed and scolded the bug, “You have a good drinking ability!” Soon after that he pushed the glass to the side, allowing You’ve Got Me to soak joyously in the liquor as it pleased. He did not care about it anymore as he started pouring drinks for himself and drank by himself as he was calculating in his heart, “One sip is equal to five bucks!”
Not too long later, Liu Zheng returned smilingly. Two girls in short tops and short skirts followed behind him. Wen Leyang raised his eyes and was startled once again. There were two ‘Andy Lau’ that were dressed in skirts.
Liu Zheng was winking his eye at Wen Leyang. He spoke softly, “There is not even a single cultivator here. Even if there are people from the Painting Town, it should only be ordinary people.
After the girls took a seat, they took off the masks excitedly and asked Liu Zheng, “Is it true that you made these?”
Liu Zheng nodded. His face was filled with an artist’s stubbornness, “I made it with human skin!”
The two girls shrieked once in excitement simultaneously. They used their hands to slap on the table desperately. Liu Zheng burst out laughing, he raised the glass containing You’ve Got Me, “Cheers!”
Wen Leyang snatched the glass in quick and agile movements. The girls had just raised their glasses when they gave out a ‘huh’ in unison. They stared at Wen Leyang full of curiosity, “Are you…making soaked liquor? Using a macaron to soak…medicinal liquor?” Before their voices died away, You’ve Got Me sensed the vibration, it straightened its body from the liquor and took a look around its surroundings before falling back into the liquor stiffly.
Wen Leyang laughed as he answered loudly, “This bug here is my pet. It loves to drink but it can’t drink much!”
The two girls cheered in unison once again, slapping the table desperately. One of them said to the other as if she was deep in thoughts, “This bug here likes to eat carrots!” As she was saying that, she pointed to that plate of smooth and shiny carrot sticks on the table.
Liu Zheng’s eyes were glimmering. He spoke softly next to Wen Leyang’s ear, “Outside, cultivator, two of them!”
Wen Leyang nodded, “You be careful too.”
Liu Zheng sniggered, “The two of them are much weaker than me. They can’t smell my…huh!” He was halfway through his sentence when Liu Zheng suddenly gasped softly out of surprise.
Wen Leyang was stunned as well. There were two burly chaps that were dressed up in suits and leather shoes. One of them was wearing an out of place hat, he appeared excited and anxious as he walked into the Painting Town. Wen Leyang could not be any more familiar with the both of them. They were his precious disciples, the old monk Ji Fei and the fat monk Shui Jing.
Meanwhile, Liu Zheng continued to speak softly, “Four more came! Enjoy your drinks, they cannot hide from me in the ‘Painting Town’. I can always tell where these people are going.” After all, he was the supreme leader of Kunlun Sect.
Wen Leyang lifted the glass to his mouth as if he was deep in thoughts. Taking a light sip of the liquor, he said, “Hey, I don’t understand…” Before he could finish his sentence, he spat out a mouthful of liquor at the sound of a poof.
The two girls burst out laughing loudly.
The soaked medicinal alcohol of You’ve Got Me was scorchingly hot and spicy!