Chapter 76: Deserving a Beating

As the city lights began to glow, a biting wind howled through the streets. The cold weather had left even the famed Scarlet Sleeves nearly deserted; only a handful of patrons had arrived thus far. The madam frowned when she saw the leader of the latest group.

This was none other than Marquis Li Xiaoguang of Changguang and his entourage. Normally, Li Xiaoguang’s extravagant spending would make him a welcome guest at Scarlet Sleeves, but in truth, while he wasn’t the type to force himself upon the girls, he had a reputation for tormenting them. Any girl who had served him once would never volunteer to do so again.

When Li Xiaoguang suddenly strode into the main hall, the girls—dressed provocatively to attract clients—scattered like startled birds. Yet in that moment, a particular girl caught Li Xiaoguang’s attention. She wore a fitted white outfit that showed off her figure to perfection.

Li Xiaoguang clapped his hands and laughed. “What a beautiful little lady!”

Just then, a tall man in a brocade robe approached and put his arm around the girl’s shoulder. Li Xiaoguang looked him over—massive build, a face thick with muscle, cold eyes that inspired fear.

This man was none other than Luo Song. Though Luo Song, known as “Breaker of Armies,” had some fame, few truly knew him. At Chen Ying’s behest, Luo Song had carefully disguised himself; though there were no surgical means in this era, there were ways to alter one’s appearance, and even those familiar with Luo Song would struggle to recognize him.

“Hand over the girl beside you, and I’ll pay you fifty strings of cash!” Li Xiaoguang smiled, but his expression begged to be punched.

“Fifty strings is generous, but—”

“But what?”

“But do I look like someone who needs money?” Luo Song’s words had barely left his lips when the hall fell into silence. The onlookers stared at him in awe, secretly giving him a thumbs-up.

“What spirit! The boy has guts!”

Though Marquis Li Xiaoguang was a useless noble, his background was impeccable—he was a member of the imperial family. Li Yuan was his cousin; Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin were his nephews; and he had a full-blooded elder brother, the Prince of Anlu. Li Xiaoguang’s reckless behavior in Chang’an was not without reason.

He was arrogant and brash, but possessed a keen instinct for reading people. He knew exactly whom he could offend and whom he could not. If someone could be bullied, he would torment them mercilessly; if not, he would slink away.

Li Xiaoguang was never one to keep up appearances.

He laughed in anger. “I’m in a good mood, so here’s one hundred strings. Take the money and leave, or I’ll show you the meaning of death.”

The madam disliked Li Xiaoguang but dared not cross him openly. In fact, even her backers would not risk offending him.

The madam truly feared trouble within Scarlet Sleeves. If Li Xiaoguang lost his temper and injured a guest, her establishment’s reputation would be ruined. She quietly approached Luo Song and whispered, “Master Luo, don’t take it to heart. He’s a tyrant in Chang’an, an imperial scion, notorious for victimizing people. He’s despised by everyone in Ye City. But if you provoke him, there’s no easy way out!”

Luo Song, however, was unconcerned. “And what if I refuse to comply?”

Li Xiaoguang sneered, “Before me, a dragon must coil and a tiger must crouch!”

Luo Song replied, “What’s that got to do with me?”

“How could it not?” Li Xiaoguang retorted. “Perhaps it didn’t before, but now it does. Seize him!”

The madam didn’t know Luo Song’s true identity, thinking him just another local tough. But in Chang’an, who would dare challenge the imperial family?

Before Li Xiaoguang’s attendants could act, Luo Song struck first. With fists and kicks, he felled them all.

“Who are you…” Seeing Luo Song’s ferocity, Li Xiaoguang panicked. “I am the Marquis of Changguang of the Great Tang—a nobleman! To favor a whore is to grant her honor. Don’t be ungrateful!”

Once again, Li Xiaoguang looked as if he deserved a beating.