Chapter Fifty-Four: The Blue Lantern Order

  Hu Zhongren said: "Doesn't Lan Ji know that I already know where Zhenzhen is?"

  Liu Qingqing asked in surprise: "Then how did you know this news?"

  Hu Zhongren said, "I didn't expect that my Blue Lamp Society would develop to such a large scale, and it already has an organization in the country of Hanhai. The one who told me this news was a servant on duty at the Huahua Building, who received orders from his superiors to pay attention to any movements of Blue Sister, so when she met with someone, she was discovered."

  "You're saying you don't know who the Blue Lantern is either?" Lü Qingqing said in surprise, this was a bit like the single-line contact method used by modern spies, even if two Blue Lantern members met each other, they wouldn't recognize one another, which reduced the chances of exposure and increased the level of surveillance. This was truly too advanced.

  "I just issued the order, and it's up to you to execute it," said Hu Zhongren. "Uncle did this to avoid letting everyone know that the leader is here, so he adopted this method. He personally knows ten team leaders, each of whom has ten more members under him, with a maximum limit of ten. That's why another name for the Blue Lantern Order is also the Ten-Man Order."

  "Isn't that someone who wants to leave the organization and stand alone, and you can't stop it?" Liu Qingqing was very surprised, how did he know it was his own person?

  "This isn't difficult, the Blue Lamp members recognize the lamp but not the person. Each member controlled by the superior has a blue jade pendant, when ten of them gather together, it forms a complete lantern shape, which is the symbol of the Blue Lamp. If this person encounters danger and needs help, as long as they take out the Blue Lamp jade pendant, stretch their right hand flat with their palm facing inward and stick it to their heart, there will be Blue Lamp members who will come to assist them."

  Liu Qingqing said: "Then how do we know his level?"

  Hu Zhongren said, "I am first-class, so I should do it this way." He placed his right hand on his chest and made a five-finger flat gesture. If he were second-class, he would need to hide his thumb in the palm of his hand and then stretch out four fingers, sticking them to his heart, with each subsequent class following suit.

  Liu Qingqing stretched out her hand and made a gesture on her chest, then asked: "If he grasps all five fingers into a fist shape, what does the next move represent?"

  Huzhongren smiled and said: "You really love asking questions. Think about it, by the time you reach the sixth level, how many people will be left?"

  Liu Qingqing looked at the place with a calculating gaze, muttering to herself, "One floor is you, for one, second floor is 10, third floor is 100, fourth floor is 1,000, fifth floor is 10,000, sixth floor is 100,000. The sixth floor alone has 100,000 disciples, it's really a lot."

  "Hu Zhongren said: 'Yes, now ten years have passed, I didn't expect single-line development, and also gained 100,000 followers, it's really impressive.'"

  Liu Qingqing said: "Your uncle is really too clever, he can actually calculate that you have so many troubles today, and you can use the Blue Lantern Decree to solve things."

  "But I wish nothing had happened!" Liu Qingqing looked at Hu Zhongren and sighed, "Yes, I don't want to be in danger all the time either. It's exciting, but it's also very tense!" After finishing speaking, she relaxed and lay flat on the bed, saying "I'm tired, let's go to bed and rest?"

  Hu Zhongren's sly smile, Liu Qingqing said: "Don't think crookedly, I mean, we're just resting on the double bed, no other meaning. You and I need to rest well, prepare for tomorrow to return to Tianchao to save Zhenzhen. You won't do anything rash when your daughter's life is uncertain, right?"

  Hu Zhongren saw Liu Qingqing's tense appearance and felt both amused and heartbroken, it seemed that winning her heart wouldn't be easy, he still needed to continue trying.

  "You rest here with the sword, I'll go outside. When it's daylight, I'll call for you." Hu Zhongren said as he picked up the nearly extinguished candle and walked out of the door.

  Liu Qingqing suddenly lost her smile "In ancient times, that's the advantage of being honest and trustworthy. Although she really seems to like herself, she still has to maintain a dignified demeanor like Liu Xiaohui." Liu Qingqing soon fell into a deep sleep, and before long, she started snoring softly. Hu Zhongren heard it from outside and couldn't help but smile: "This girl is too careless, she didn't even close the door and just fell asleep."

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  The next morning.

  Hu Zhongren and Liu Qingqing arrived at the Smoke Flower House early. As soon as they reached the entrance, a servant came forward. "Greetings, Mr. Hu and Miss Hua. I have been waiting for you both on behalf of Lady Lanji for some time."

  Hu Zhongren and Liu Qingqing exchanged a glance. The servant continued, "This is a letter from our Blue Sister to the Flower Queen, please open it immediately."

  Liu Qingqing opened the letter and took a look, on which was written:

  Hu Shaohua sees the words as if they were in front of her, and I have two things to tell you. Firstly, Zhenzhen was first captured by Fengyun's two ghosts, and now she has been captured again by Liu Fengchun. The intention behind Liu Fengchun capturing Zhenzhen is unclear, but it is said that Liu Fengchun is the father of Huashao, so perhaps Huashao can save Zhenzhen unharmed.

  The second thing is that Yang Liuqing bought Chunlan, Qiujie and Xiaolian together and presented them to me with a gift of 10,000 taels of gold, which will be enough for my retirement expenses. So today I resigned and left, planning to spend the rest of my years in seclusion, hiding myself in the wilderness, hoping you can understand me, Blue Girl.

  I already knew that it was Huā Kuí disguising herself as Yún Pópó at the time. The truth is, I wanted to rescue you and find your biological father. This matter, Yún Pópó had already told me using the secret transmission method when she carried Fēng Bào Shī Xiōng away from the fire scene. What I'm doing now is just a small revenge, so please forgive me, adults.

  Also, please help me bid farewell to King Hanhai. From today on, I will leave the Huahua Building and wander freely in the world, not knowing when we can meet again. Take care.

  Liu Qingqing handed it over to Hu Zhongren, who scanned it quickly. He looked up at Liu Qingqing: "Now, what do we do?"

  Originally wanted to take away Chunlan, Qiujie and Xiaolian, but now Blue Girl has taken the lead, it should be said that Yangliuqing took the lead.

  "Lan Ji has already escaped, it's pointless to chase after her. Where will Yang Liuqing take the three of them? She might go look for the mysterious person. Where would the mysterious person be? Let's first go to Yang Liuqing's house and take a look." said Liu Qingqing. "I know where his house is, he told me before."

  Two people mounted their horses and rushed to the Yang family's mansion in Hanhai. The Yang Liuqing's home was located at the westernmost part of the Madame Villa District, a bit farther away from everyone else, just to keep Hu Zhongren a little further away. When they arrived at the Yang house, Iron General blocked the door. Hu Zhongren felt very disappointed. Liu Qing dismounted and walked to the top of the gate, where a key fell down. She picked it up and unlocked the door to enter the courtyard.

  Hú Zhōngrén felt something strange in his heart, but he didn't ask anything. His eyes were paying attention to the movements in the courtyard. There was nothing special about it.

  Liu Qingqing's big eyes darted back and forth as she said, "Hmm, they're at Hong Cui Mountain Villa."

  Hu Zhongren didn't understand how she knew. She looked at Qingqing with suspicion. Liu Qingqing pointed to the ground, and a secret was discovered on the steps. A group of ants drew a red character on the ground.

  "This must be left by Yan, I heard from Yang Liuqing that Yan had been following him closely, and when he heard that I could go see her, he was overjoyed. Now, she must have been taken away by Yang Liuqing, so she left me this token."

  Hu Zhongren nodded slightly. "Now that we know where Zhenzhen is, there's no need to worry too much. Your father took Zhenzhen, probably for you. With Zhenzhen, he can negotiate with me. Chunlan, Qiujie and Xiaolian are also there, if they were taken by Yang Liuqing to Hong Cuishan Villa, I wouldn't be afraid at all. That's my hometown, it would be easier for me to deal with him."

  Liu Qingqing furrowed her brow, "I have a different view from yours. Why did my father want to capture Zhenzhen? Whether it was to rescue me or to negotiate with you, there are doubts. How did he know that Zhenzhen is your child? How did he know that holding her hostage would work? And what about Yang Liuqing, what does he...

  "Going to Hong Cuishan Manor, doesn't he know that's your old haunt, where your power is even greater?"

  Hu Zhongren let her ask, but she didn't have any idea either, "Then what do you think we should do?"

  Liu Qingqing said: "What to do? Cool! I still have to thank them, without me exerting any effort, they've already sent everyone back to Tian Chao for me. Knowing this, I won't have to worry about being the flower courtesan anymore. What's the use of earning two Hanhai Commanders' badges? Let's go tell the King of Hanhai right now, we're going back to Tian Chao."

  Two people rushed to the Hanhai State, and the King of Hanhai had just finished his morning court. Hearing that Hua Kui and Hu Shao were seeking an audience, he hastily called them in.

  Hu Shao took out Lan Ji's resignation letter, and King Hanhai looked at it with a smile on his face. "Lan Ji had wanted to resign as the host of the pavilion for some time, but there was no suitable candidate back then. I promised her that I would let her go after the Huakui Banquet, but she left without even saying goodbye."

  Liu Qingqing thought to herself: "Geez, stop putting on powder, she's afraid we'll catch him and hastily left. For now, I won't speak clearly, just smile and say: 'Lady Lan is straightforward, King Hanhai has a broad heart, neither of them will mind.' Right?"

  "I wouldn't mind, of course, but the brothel can't be left without a master for even one day. Do you think the courtesan could take on this role?"

  "Hmm, I'm afraid that's not suitable. I've already arranged a marriage with Huakui and we're planning to get married next month. She might not be comfortable showing her face in public after that."

  The King of Hanhai still smiled, "Does Huajun have any recommended candidates? Or is Huajun willing to stay in Hanhai?" That means Huajun has the final say. Hu Zhongren nervously stared at Liu Qingqing, afraid that she would say something inappropriate at a critical moment.

  Liu Qingqing paused for a moment, seemingly in thought. "I'm not suitable for this position anymore, although I really want to take it on, but what Hu Shao said is also true - as a woman, after marriage, I should be devoted to my husband and children, and it's not suitable for me to be out in the open. However, Your Majesty's kindness, I dare not forget, and I will definitely look for opportunities to repay you in the future. As for recommending candidates, there are four others who competed with me for the position of Huakui, I don't know which one you appreciate?"

  At that time, the five women who entered the Huakai preliminary round were Duanmu Lan, Zhuo Furong, Long Hua Hua, Hong Shi Liu, and Meng Huidie. Meng Huidie was actually Liu Qingqing herself. The aforementioned Duanmu Lan was a princess of the current Hanhai country; Zhuo Furong was the daughter of the first rich man in Hanhai country; Long Hua Hua was the number one courtesan cultivated by Yanhua Building; Hong Shi Liu was from Tianchao and was also the number one courtesan. Except for Hong Shi Liu who had already returned to Tianchao, the remaining three were still in Hanhai, so it was relatively easy to choose.

  "I'd like to hear the opinion of the Flower Queen." King Hahn Hai smiled faintly.

  Liu Qingqing said, "Nima, you didn't ask me to come up with a plan, did you?" With a smile on her face, she said, "I think the most suitable person for this task is Princess Lan. She's of noble birth and has exceptional skills, making her the perfect candidate."

  Green green heart says hedgehog's kid is bright, yellow weasel's kid is fragrant. Who doesn't think their own child is the best?

  The King of Hanhai smiled and said: "I'm afraid it's not possible for the little girl, she will soon go to Tianchao to celebrate your new marriage, there are many things."

  "It seems that Zhuo Furong is the only choice then? Her age is a bit older, and she can take on more responsibilities as an official. Long Hua is still young and inexperienced. Actually, Liu Qingqing has figured out the secret to getting rich in the country of Hanhai: whoever collects the most taxes is considered capable. And Zhuo Furong has her father backing her up, so even if her performance is not good enough, someone will make up for it."

  The King of the South Sea, Hainan Hai, burst out laughing and said: "Hua Kui's words are in line with my intentions. I will issue a decree now, asking Zhuo Furu to take office. You two also stay here to join us in welcoming the new official, how about it?"

  "I have decided to return to Tianchao today and attend the morning court to request a pass for Prince Jing and Princess Lan. I won't be attending the welcoming ceremony for the new official."

  Hu Zhongren also seemed to have grasped the pulse of King Hanhai, and suddenly said what King Hanhai had been hoping for. Liu Qingqing secretly gave him a thumbs up.

  The two bid farewell to King Hahn and set off immediately for the capital of Tianchao without packing their bags.