I Have A Martial Dao World

Chapter 54: 54. Disaster at the Opium Den

The next morning, Li Pei drove over to pick up the guests.

Lu Yao looked curiously at the black vintage car, noting that it had a complete set of steering wheel and gear positions, much like the antique cars in Blue Star.

Liao Ya spoke courteously, "It is an honor that the Commandery Princess has taken the trouble to come herself; I am flattered beyond measure."

Li Pei was dressed in Western attire as usual, though today she wore a vest.

"There's no need for formality, Master Liao. I am taking this opportunity to experience the local customs and human interest, hehe~ I'm really looking forward to seeing most of Yunzhou's opium dens."

~~~~~~~~

The eunuch Zhang Jin was driving the car, with Lu Yao in the passenger seat. Three slender girls sat comfortably in the back without any crowding.

On the road, Li Pei, noticing the silky sheen on Liao Ya's skin, started a conversation, "Little sister, are you in the process of the Marrow-Cleansing Realm?"

"Your perception is as sharp as ever, Commandery Princess. I had the good fortune to make a breakthrough after last night's battle."

Li Pei showed no surprise; anyone present yesterday could see that Liao Ya had reached the limit of Organ Refining.

"Congratulations, I wish for you to cleanse the mortal marrow soon and exchange it for immortal bones."

"I thank you for your auspicious words."

Advancing in the Martial Path isn't about accruing enough experience points to 'ding' level up; it's a slow process of bodily transformation.

The car drove by, spurring the listless and emaciated passersby to scatter and avoid it.

Li Pei gazed out the car window, caressing her smooth chin: Keep the excitement alive on m-vl-em,pyr

"The Imperial Court has established the National Martial Arts Association with the intention of popularizing the Martial Path and strengthening our nation and people. If every citizen practices martial arts, enhances their physical strength and mental fortitude, shedding the air of defeatism, we will certainly be able to erase our previous humiliation and rebuild the Divine Land!"

Liao Ya immediately felt that she had found a kindred spirit, "Exactly, if everyone practices martial arts, with a large enough base, we could eventually form a squad of 'Indestructible Golden Body Realm' masters! No matter the strength of the enemy's iron ships or powerful cannons, I would face them head-on!"

Li Pei: "..."

"Cough... Senior sister..." Lu Yao suddenly interjected, "Why are you always so obsessed with this?" He had heard the girl mention this once before.

"Because I have witnessed the power of a 'Indestructible Golden Body Realm' Great Grandmaster with my own eyes!" Liao Ya's pretty face flushed red:

"I was young at the time, but I still remember Lord Guan's heroic defense of Tiger Gate Fortress! Single-handedly facing tens of thousands, how magnificent he was! Tearing Western demon beasts apart as if they were mere paper..."

The girl went on endlessly about what she had seen and heard in her youth, but Li Pei's face was etched with deep embarrassment, and the eunuch Zhang Jin driving the car also had a strange expression.

Both knew that back then, in the wake of Lin Gong's actions to destroy the opium, the foreign powers had used this as an excuse to brazenly invade, with tens of thousands of "Einheit" troops besieging Tiger Gate Fortress.

During the crisis, the Imperial Court, divided between the factions for and against war, was disgracefully indecisive, especially since the former Emperor was reluctant to engage in battle.

Lord Guan pleaded for reinforcements multiple times, but in the end, he only received 200 troops...

Surrounded by enemy forces, Lord Guan fought valiantly until his Golden Body shattered, witnessed by numerous people along the coast.

A loyal and patriotic Great Grandmaster was thus tragically betrayed and left to die, a disgraceful chapter for the Imperial Court, and the atmosphere sunk into awkwardness.

Fortunately, they reached their destination at that moment.

~~~~~~~~

Fushou Road, Fushou House.

The name sounded pleasant, but in reality, it was a large opium den, and it had "diversified development," with a brothel and a gambling house right next door.

Countless people, despondent in spirit, exposed their worst in there; many addicted to opium with no money could only sit idly around the opium den, like lifeless zombies.

Li Pei spoke indifferently, "Each and every one of these opium dens and gambling dens has an Organ Refining Martial Artist in charge. They exploit their fellow countrymen's flesh and blood without the slightest qualm, indulging themselves and advancing their cultivation. Now, they belong to you, Master Liao."

They got out of the car and walked into Fushou House. The manager waited anxiously and, upon seeing the visitors, tried to compose himself:

"Master Liao, our Fushou House makes a clear profit of three pieces of silver daily, a remarkably lucrative deal. With you at the helm, it can only flourish even more..."

Liao Ya couldn't care less about these things and got straight to the point, "This is the property deed; from now on, this place is mine. Close it immediately! Everyone, get out!"

Of course, the manager was reluctant, arguing, "Our establishment has shares from several officials of the Prefecture government; by doing this, you..."

Li Pei laughed and said, "Hmm? I wonder which officials those might be~"

The shopkeeper's face turned ashen, and he dared not speak further. The shares of the opium dens owned by court officials were definitely not something that could be openly discussed.

The bouncers in the opium den cowered to one side; they were not fools either and did not dare to trouble these individuals.

Afterward, the eunuch Zhang Jin waved his hand, and innumerable stout men in black appeared, dealing with the miscellaneous affairs—

The sign of the opium den was taken down and smashed; addicts who refused to leave were unceremoniously thrown out the door; large opium pills were doused with lime and thrown into the stinking ditch, and finally, countless opium pipes were burned in the street.

Thick smoke rose, and thus Yunzhou's largest opium den was no more.

Following that, the group hurriedly moved on to the next establishment. The deed was shown, and on the spot, the place was closed down for good, and the opium pipes were burnt!

The few who dared to resist in a fit of emotion were also harshly dealt with by Zhang Jin. It turned out that this eunuch was an expert at the Marrow-Cleansing Realm.

With such efficiency, they had managed to bring down over twenty opium dens in just half a day, causing quite a stir throughout the city.

Many were astounded: opium dens were businesses with deep connections, involving countless high officials and martial experts. Someone actually dared to mess with them!?

The National Martial Arts Association and the Liao Family Fist gained fame from the battle.

~~~~~~~

After dealing with the opium dens, the group arrived at the large estate of the Haoran Martial Arts Hall. Countless men in black raided Sun Haoran's home, while the others simply waited.

Li Pei was very happy, laughing, "How exhilarating! Today, I was able to vent thanks to your influence. Otherwise, given my special status, I wouldn't dare to be so ostentatious."

Liao Ya was also filled with satisfaction, "This is exactly what I've been wanting to do, only Hailong Gang remains to be taken down!"

The two women exchanged looks, feeling an instant connection as kindred spirits.

Li Pei said earnestly, "Director Liao, although we've vented our anger today, it has also caused you significant losses. Besides, many are watching these shops, afraid that they might be turned back into opium dens. How about this—I'll buy them at the original price, and I absolutely won't let you suffer a loss."

Liao Ya glanced at Lu Yao subconsciously. After all, there were still a thousand taels of silver hidden under the bed, and she didn't care about such a trivial profit, boldly saying:

"There's no need. I didn't want to get involved with these shops anyway, and without the Commandery Princess's help, I wouldn't have been able to acquire them. You should handle them as you see fit."

Li Pei was surprised by Liao Ya's financial largesse. It should stand to reason that the Liao Family Fist, being a small sect, would care greatly about money. But upon focusing and observing carefully, she confirmed that this woman genuinely did not care about these "prosperous shops."

Li Pei thought for a moment, then said, "Then let's do this—the shops will be considered assets operated by the National Martial Arts Association; here I have some medicinal formulas and secret manuals for you to keep as compensation."

Nonchalantly, she handed over a few books, with titles such as the medicinal liquor secret formula 'Golden Elixir Brew,' the massage secret art 'Dynamic Dragon-Subduing Art,' and an unremarkable 'Xiao Family Spear Technique.'

Liao Ya's composed face showed a trace of shock, "Commandery Princess, this is too valuable! These are top-secret teachings from within the palace!"

'Golden Elixir Brew' and 'Dynamic Dragon-Subduing Art' were the top-tier "nourishing and training methods," which every martial artist coveted.

Moreover, the Commandery Princess had simply handed over these formulas all at once... They could become the core legacy and greatly treasured secret of a sect, whose value simply cannot be measured in money.

Li Pei generously said, "No need to be polite; this is just a small token of my regard. We are counting on you to become skilled in cultivation as soon as possible for the National Martial Arts Association."

Liao Ya was deeply touched, "Thank you, Commandery Princess!"

~~~~~~~

After receiving the secret manuals, Liao Ya held the unremarkable 'Xiao Family Spear Technique' with a complex expression.

Li Pei spoke softly, "This is for you. You may practice it freely; no one would dare say anything about it."

Liao Ya started to speak but then stopped, and finally just bowed her fist in thanks without saying a word.

Lu Yao, who had been quietly watching, quietly asked Liao Qe, "What's the deal with 'Xiao Family Spear Technique'? I noticed something unusual about Sister."

Liao Qe spoke in a low, muffled voice, "My sister and I have a mother. After our father died, she didn't want us anymore and returned to her maiden home. 'Xiao Family Spear Technique' is the martial art of our mother's family."

"What???!!!"

There were surely a myriad of messes behind this, and Lu Yao didn't rush to ask further.

Liao Qe continued, "Actually, I have long forgotten what she looked like..."