Licheng, situated in the southern part of Yan Kingdom, lay fairly close to the center of the country. It was prosperous enough to be called the second city of Yan, also known as the City of Gold. Nearly all major trade passed through here, and half of the kingdom’s annual tax revenue came from this city.
Correspondingly, prices were high, currency changed hands rapidly, and the underground money laundering scene thrived. This was exactly where Murong Qiufeng and his companions were headed, for the Mufeng Tower was located here.
Within Licheng, all the tea houses, brothels, gambling dens, and taverns were connected to the Mufeng Tower in some way. Its largest brothel, Yunmeng Tower, was one of Mufeng Tower’s holdings, primarily used for gathering intelligence. Even the underground Black Alliance was partially under its control. Most people thought the Mufeng Tower simply excelled in information, unaware that its true power lay in wealth.
If that weren’t the case, Yun Feiyang wouldn’t have been able to give Murong Qiufeng treasures so valuable that each item could rival an entire city in worth.
In fact, Mufeng Tower’s founder was not Yun Feiyang. Originally, it was called Liuyun Pavilion, a small intelligence operation. After Yun Feiyang took it over, ten years of careful expansion transformed it into the premier intelligence organization—and its wealth grew unmatched. Its influence reached beyond Yan Kingdom, casting shadows into other nations as well.
Many assumed that eliminating Yun Feiyang would bring Mufeng Tower down, not realizing that it had already become deeply rooted. One wrong move could ripple across the Central Plains, as the Tower had subtle control over the economies of nearly every nation. In recent years, its growth had been almost frenetic.
One reason for this was Murong Qiufeng.
Yun Feiyang’s thinking was similar to Shangguan Ye’s. He believed that to command respect and silence the world, one must stand above, untouchable and intimidating—not by begging for approval. He aimed to build an underground kingdom that needed no throne, no armies, yet could control nations.
Many years later, when Shangguan Ye and Murong Qiufeng retired, they often reflected that their early actions had been fortunate. Otherwise, with Yun Feiyang’s abilities, Murong Qiufeng would have belonged entirely to him.
Yun Feiyang’s greatest regret, one that haunted him until death, was failing to seize Murong Qiufeng’s heart sooner. Overconfident, he believed that by making him reliant, he could gradually claim him—unaware that someone like Shangguan Ye, following a similar approach, would intervene.
Murong Qiufeng had been to Mufeng Tower several times and was familiar with it.
The group first settled into an inn. Once settled, Murong Qiufeng left alone. Shangguan Ye, despite being his partner, didn’t follow; even a possessive man like him respected certain private spaces.
Murong Qiufeng entered a teahouse and casually scanned the room before heading upstairs.
A young man in white hurried over, polite and smiling. “Sir, how may I serve you?”
Murong Qiufeng paused, studying the boy. “A sunny private room to the south. One pot of Rootless Green Silk Tea.”
The youth smiled, though a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes. He bowed slightly and extended his hand. “Right this way, sir.”
Murong Qiufeng nodded and followed.
The teahouse was busy but not crowded. It was no ordinary establishment—entry was restricted.
“Sir, please. The tea will be served shortly,” the boy said, opening the door to a private room and bowing at the threshold.
Murong Qiufeng inclined his head. “Much obliged,” he said, stepping inside.
The boy closed the door and went off, eyes glinting as he moved away.
Inside, Murong Qiufeng didn’t sit. He moved to a wall painting depicting a tea-picking maiden. Gently, he tapped several points in the verdant tea field, ending with a point on the maiden’s brow, as if following a rhythm.
With the last tap, the base of the painting shifted, revealing a crack. Peering inside, he saw a staircase.
He retrieved a luminous night pearl from a cabinet and descended.
Halfway down, the passageway ahead lit up softly from the night pearl’s glow. Two men in white stood at the bottom, seemingly waiting for him.
Seeing Murong Qiufeng approach, both bowed in unison. “Master Feng.”
He responded softly, “It’s been some time. Thank you for your effort.”
Together they replied, “It is our duty, Master Feng. Please, lead the way.”
Only three people had unrestricted access to this staircase: Yun Feiyang, the two deputy masters, Yun Tian and Murong Qiufeng. Others could enter only under specific circumstances—led blindfolded, signaling the right codes.
The hidden depths of Mufeng Tower rivaled even the enigmatic Tiansha Pavilion. The public knew only the surface.
Following a long corridor, they entered a stone-carved door leading into a vast, luxurious hall.
The stone floor and walls gleamed like mirrors, slightly warm from underground heating. The walls were adorned with intricate carvings. The hall was brightly lit, the glow maintained by replacing at least fifty night pearls every ten days.
Many carvings were inlaid with pearls, agate, and other precious stones. In the center stood a tower-like cauldron, about two meters tall. Each small door emitted curling fragrant smoke, filling the hall. The tower, carved from pure white warm jade, alone was worth more than fifty years of Yan Kingdom’s treasury.
Around the hall were jade chairs with white mink coverings. At the head sat a single large jade throne, simple yet elegant, radiating a celestial aura. In front lay a jade desk with brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. On either side stood tall red coral pillars, adding color to the snowy-white hall.
This hall was for council meetings. The high seat belonged to Yun Feiyang. Fewer than twenty people had access at any time: the deputy masters, thirteen hall leaders, and three underground managers.
A white-robed elder, one of the managers, approached upon hearing Murong Qiufeng’s arrival, bowing slightly. “Master Feng.”
