Chapter 20: Yuhang Canghai

After paying, Shenfu received a deed of ownership. If Ruyilou’s establishment could express emotion, it would be beaming with smiles at this moment.

“The girl is yours now! You can take her away immediately, or leave her here; we’ll send her to your address after closing. What do you prefer?”

Anxious, Chu Baige quickly interjected, “Of course, we’ll leave her here. We have many places to shop. The night is long; what’s the rush?”

Shenfu had no intention of taking the girl immediately. She didn’t contradict Chu Baige, simply nodding slightly. “Let’s leave her here for now. I trust Shunxinruyi’s reputation.”

“Of course, Shunxinruyi has always been trustworthy.”

The owner bowed respectfully and escorted them out. Passing a cubicle, he beckoned to a young girl still dancing. “Come here, your luck has changed. This gentleman has purchased you; he will be your new owner.”

The girl stopped dancing and ran over, stopping a couple of feet from Shenfu. Her snow-white feet on the dark red floor contrasted with her flawless skin. Her eyes crinkled into crescents as she smiled brightly at Shenfu.

“Greetings, Master.”

“Master, are you going to the market? Would you like Hongxiu to accompany you? I know the market well and can help you bargain. That silk is listed at two thousand taels, but I could easily get it down to eighteen hundred.”

Ruyilou’s owner protested, “My dear girl, you’re already sold! Why are you helping someone cheat me?”

Hongxiu smiled triumphantly, “I am the master’s property now!”

Chu Baige laughed, relieved. This girl, Hongxiu, was young, spirited, and unlike the other women. He’d worried about Shenfu buying Mingyue, fearing repercussions for himself and their friends. But this girl… she didn’t seem to possess the same air of importance as a princess.

Shen Fu gave him a cold look, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. But when Hongxiu approached to take her hand, Shen Fu neatly withdrew her hand. Ignoring Hongxiu’s disappointed expression, she told the owner, “Leave her here. I expect her to be delivered to me before sunset tomorrow.”

The owner, holding Hongxiu’s arm, pulled the distraught girl closer, saying to Shenfu, “Certainly, I wish you both well.”

…

“Tsk tsk, you should have seen her face—like she’d just been sold to a butcher!” Chu Baige said, shaking his head.

“Seriously, where do your affections lie? You two are inseparable; you never even notice me!”

Shenfu said indifferently, “Because I paid. If you want, you can buy Mingyue. Besides, didn’t Hongxiu say she could get you a discount? Two thousand taels down to eighteen hundred—a saving of two hundred taels!”

“Am I that concerned about two hundred taels?” Chu Baige grumbled. He knew he’d be a mere observer today.

Chu Baige continued, “Why did you buy her? Is it too much money to spend? Wasn’t it the princess’s money? Using one woman’s money to buy another… tsk, I bet people will gossip about you.”

Suspiciously, he added, “You’re not being soft-hearted, are you?”

Chu Baige reasoned that while Ruyilou had many beautiful women, Hongxiu was the only one who seemed young and innocent. He knew Shenfu’s temperament; she might ignore a grown woman’s pleas, but a child might get a second look.

“Have you heard of the Canghai Club?”

Chu Baige replied, “It sounds familiar.”

Shenfu explained, “The Canghai Club is a powerful gang on the Yuhang Canal. Mostly sailors and river workers, they control the canal. Businesses must pay them tribute, regardless of government regulations.”

“I remember! Isn’t Fan Canghai, their leader, the legendary figure who can split water with a single palm strike?”

Chu Baige knew of Fan Canghai but not the club itself.

“Fan Canghai’s martial arts are average, but his ‘Sea-Splitting Palm’ is famous. He supposedly developed it while working on the river.”

Recalling his youth, Chu Baige sighed, “When I ran away from home, I considered joining the Canghai Club and learning from Fan Canghai.”

Shen Fu asked, “Have you ever seen him?”

“Once, at a trade fair. He was a big, burly man.”

“Then you probably don’t know he has a beautiful wife from a prominent family.”

Chu Baige was intrigued. “Really? How do you know?”

“Because I’ve met them.”

Shenfu continued, explaining that many young martial artists end up working for the Canghai Club. Fan Canghai, despite his power, wasn’t extravagant; he’d often be seen carrying heavy loads at the docks.

Shenfu and Fan Canghai had become acquainted through her frequent visits to the docks. He was a kind man, always inviting her for tea.

Shen Fu said, “I’ve met his wife and daughter.”

“How beautiful is his daughter?”

“As beautiful as Hongxiu.”

“No wonder…” Chu Baige was stunned. He’d thought Shenfu bought Hongxiu because she reminded her of a friend’s daughter. Now, a terrible thought occurred to him. “Could Hongxiu be Fan Canghai’s daughter?”

“I’m not entirely sure,” Shenfu admitted.

“How sure are you?”

“Nine out of ten.”

Chu Baige was distraught. “Let’s forget shopping and take her home!”

“Why the rush? I’m not worried.”

Chu Baige questioned, “Isn’t she your friend’s daughter?”

“Whether she is or isn’t, her presence here suggests she was either kidnapped or something happened to her family. Let’s deal with things one at a time. Besides, how do we know Ruyilou and the Canghai Club aren’t connected? Investigating Ruyilou might reveal information about the Canghai Club.”

Chu Baige conceded, “You’re right.”

They soon came across a lively casino. Only red curtains concealed the interior, but the sounds of excitement were unmistakable.

Shenfu and Chu Baige entered. The casino was crowded, with gamblers wagering large sums of silver. Some were elated, others furious.

A gambler jumped onto a table, shouting, “I need money! I’ll win it back!”

A masked man in black, carrying a plate with an inkpad and IOUs, smoothly moved through the crowd. “That’s two hundred thousand taels, repay nine out of thirteen. Sign here.”

The gambler, eyes bloodshot, signed without looking, grabbed the money, and threw it back onto the table. “Let’s go! I’ll win this time!”

Chu Baige whispered, “They’re all mad!”

Shenfu watched a game, suspecting the dealer was cheating. She subtly touched the table as the dice were thrown.

Snap!

The cup landed. The dealer revealed three sixes.

The gambler who’d borrowed money cheered, raking in his winnings.

The dealer raised his head, his eyes sweeping across the faces like a hawk. Shen Fu had already stepped back and quietly slipped away, beckoning to Chu Baige, who was still observing curiously. They headed upstairs.

At the top of the stairs, two men in black, wearing white smiley masks, stood waiting. As she approached, they raised their hands to block her path. After a brief exchange of twenty or thirty martial arts moves, the two men stepped aside, yielding the passage.

Chu Baige was confused. “What was that about?”

Shen Fu glanced upstairs, noting the quieter atmosphere. “Downstairs are merchants; who do you think is upstairs?”

“Oh, I see.”

The second floor housed martial artists.

Shen Fu and Chu Baige ascended the stairs, Chu Baige trailing behind. While proficient in martial arts, he was no match for Shen Fu’s skill. He knew that if he’d faced the masked men, he would have been quickly overwhelmed.

They soon reached the second floor, The scene on the second floor is quite different from the first floor