Da Huang: The Walking Brothel Spokesdog

"What's wrong?"

"Not handsome?"

"Handsome, very handsome. You have great taste."

"See? I knew you'd understand me."

The looks from others made Gu Fengyao almost question her own judgment. Had she said something wrong?

But Gu Xian'er's agreement made her feel like she had found a reliable ally—proof that she wasn’t the problem; it was their taste that was lacking.

"You two... must be blind!"

Da Huang gazed at them with pity, as if lamenting how tragic it was for the young to lose their sight so early.

"Fengyao hasn’t seen much of the world. She hasn’t ventured out often."

"Let’s be understanding," the Third Elder said helplessly.

"Then we should take her out more. Hmm... where are there lots of men?"

"Somewhere like a brothel?"

"That should broaden her horizons."

Huh?

A brothel?

Hearing those words from a dog’s mouth felt... disturbingly out of place.

"Brothel? What kind of place is that?"

"Judging by the name, it must be nice, right?"

Gu Fengyao had no idea what a brothel was and turned to Gu Xian'er with innocent curiosity.

Little did she know, this was the worst person to ask—it was like poking at an open wound.

"Nice?"

"Heh, sure, it’s very nice. You’ll see when you go."

Gu Xian'er sneered and turned away, leaving Gu Fengyao baffled. Had she offended her somehow?

"Did I say something wrong?" Gu Fengyao asked, confused.

"No, you’re absolutely right. A brothel is a wonderful place."

"Next time, want me to take you?" Da Huang’s eyes gleamed with mischief.

"Really? Can I go?"

"Fengyao, that’s no place for a woman," the Third Elder sighed in resignation. Chen Chang'an was shameless, and his dog was no better.

Not a place for women? That only made her more curious.

Instead of dissuading her, the Third Elder’s words only fueled Gu Fengyao’s desire to see it for herself.

Meanwhile, in the imperial city, seeing how much Chen Chang'an reveled in praise, the crowd went all out.

They shouted themselves hoarse, their throats nearly raw from the effort.

"No, no, no!"

"What’s the point of this?"

"Stop praising me, please!"

"Really... I don’t deserve this, truly."

Chen Chang'an’s words feigned humility, but his gestures clearly urged them to continue.

No one had expected that flattery could be more exhausting than battle. Some even considered giving up—death might be preferable to scraping for more compliments.

While the scene was lively, the Yin Family members stood in agony.

Were they going to die or not?

The torment of waiting for execution was unbearable.

Chen Chang'an... you’re inhuman!

"Should we try sneaking away?"

"Are you an idiot? Where would you even go? Just because Chen Chang'an isn’t acting now doesn’t mean he’s not watching."

"Take one step, and you’ll be the first to die. Believe it."

"Then... what do we do? This is torture. I can’t take this waiting anymore."

"Hope... hope for a miracle, I guess."

The Yin Family members suffered in silence, a stark contrast to the boisterous scene nearby.

For them, it was a bitter winter, cold and piercing.

This was the real reason Chen Chang'an hadn’t acted yet—he wanted them to stew in their dread.

And hey, he got praise out of it too. Two birds, one stone.

"Alright."

"You’ve said enough. You can leave now."

Chen Chang'an’s words were met with overwhelming relief. Thank the heavens, we can finally go!

"Many thanks, Senior. We won’t disturb you further."

"Senior, we’ll take our leave now."

"Senior, farewell."

They fled like escaping prisoners, each using whatever means they could to get out of the imperial city as fast as possible.

"Getting impatient?"

"Don’t worry. Now it’s your turn."

Chen Chang'an turned to the Yin Family, his warm smile the most terrifying sight they had ever seen.

To them, it was the smile of death itself.

"This guy... he’s pure evil."

"Only now do I realize he was deliberately tormenting the Yin Family."

The Third Elder shook his head with a bitter laugh. At first, he hadn’t understood why Chen Chang'an was dragging things out—was he really that vain?

Now it was clear. Chen Chang'an was cruel, leaving the Yin Family to stew in fear. Mental torture was worse than a quick death.

"Chen Chang'an, we—"

Swoosh!

Before the man could finish, Chen Chang'an flicked a finger, sending a sword qi straight through his forehead.

"Did I say you could speak?"

His icy gaze froze the Yin Family members in place.

It had begun. He was finally making his move.

What now?

What should we do now?

We can't speak, we can't escape—are we just supposed to stand here and watch as he strikes, waiting to be slaughtered?

"Who should I pick next?"

Who’s next?

Chen Chang'an's words sent a shiver down everyone’s spine. Who would be the next "lucky" one?

Themselves? Or someone else?

The Yin Family members exchanged uneasy glances. They knew full well that Chen Chang'an was toying with them, dragging out their torment—yet they were powerless to stop it.

"You?"

"Or you?"

"Or perhaps…"

"Ah, you. You’re ugly."

Like a demon, Chen Chang'an casually pointed, and just like that, another life was snuffed out.

Yet, after each strike, the remaining Yin Family members felt an unsettling sense of relief.

This realization struck them like a bolt of lightning—why were they relieved?

Relieved that it was someone else who died, not them?

What a ruthless Chen Chang'an.

What a masterful play on their minds!

How utterly cruel!

"Chen Chang'an, a warrior would rather die with dignity than suffer humiliation!"

"If you’re going to kill us, then do it quickly. What kind of game is this?"

"Is this how a Great Emperor behaves?"

"I despise you!" Yin Tianzheng roared in fury.

"Good."

"You’ve got courage."

"I’ll kill you… later."

Huh?

What the hell?!

Yin Tianzheng nearly spat blood at Chen Chang'an’s response.

Though his strength was considerable, his mental fortitude was weak—fragile, even.

He had mustered his courage to provoke Chen Chang'an, hoping for a swift death to end his suffering.

But Chen Chang'an defied expectations. Earlier, anyone who spoke was instantly struck down.

Now, when it was his turn, why the delay?

One, two, three…

As the Yin Family members fell one after another, Yin Tianzheng’s torment only grew.

Almost there… soon, it would be his turn.

When the last member besides himself was executed, Yin Tianzheng let out a long, shuddering breath.

Was it finally over?

Perhaps it had ended the moment Feng Wuliang was defeated and fled.

But this damned Chen Chang'an—so vicious, so cruel—had dragged out their agony for so long.

"Come on, then. I’m ready."

"Chen Chang'an, the heavens will punish you for this."

"You’re a heartless monster, unworthy of being a Great Emperor!"

Chen Chang'an merely smirked at the threat. Divine retribution?

What did he care?

"I don’t strike unless provoked. But if you cross me, I’ll return it a hundredfold."

"Blame yourselves—your Yin Family shouldn’t have messed with me."

"But don’t worry. The main event hasn’t even started yet."

Huh?

What did that mean? He still wasn’t going to kill him?

Was he waiting for Yin Tianzi?

From the very beginning, Yin Tianzi had been absent—secluded in meditation, striving to break through to the Great Emperor realm.

He was the Yin Family’s last hope. No one could have imagined that this calamity had been set in motion because of him.

"Tell me, Yin Tianzi—when he sees what’s become of the Fengtian Imperial Dynasty and his Yin Family, all because of him… what do you think he’ll feel?" Chen Chang'an mused.

"You… you’re truly merciless. You did all this just to get back at Yin Tianzi?"

"What else? Did you think I was doing this for fun?"

With a cold laugh, Chen Chang'an suddenly bellowed, "Yin Tianzi! Get your ass out here!"

"Don’t you want to see how many of your precious Yin Family are still breathing?"