Li Qingmu paused just outside the brothel and swished his sleeves as he prepared to step inside.
From a dark corner across the street, three n in plain gray robes blended into the crowd like ordinary rchants. At first glance, there was nothing special about them. But their hands hovered close to the hidden blades beneath their sleeves and their eyes never left the young man.
They had been following him ever since he ca down from the mountain, patiently waiting for the right chance to strike. Their plan was simple. In the chaos and noise of Lantern Street, one of them would step in close and slice his throat. Then they would disappear into the busy crowd before anyone could react.
To outsiders, it would look like nothing more than a robbery gone wrong. After all, who would bother asking questions about a man dying in the pleasure district?
Their leader gave the slightest nod.
They stepped forward and joined the flow of people.
But at that instant, a graceful woman in dark veils walked directly into Li Qingmu’s path and blocked him just as his foot lifted toward the threshold.
The assassins froze mid-step and retreated.
A curious Li Qingmu tilted his head.
"Hm?"
The woman smiled gently beneath her veil.
"It has been a long ti, young master."
"Do I... know you?"
He asked with furrowed brows.
She reached up and slowly drew the veil aside.
A beautiful, mature face appeared.
Auntie Chuyan.
Li Qingmu’s expression lit up instantly.
"Oh! It’s you, Miss Chuyan!"
She bowed her head with sincere grace.
"This auntie is delighted to et you again. I never properly thanked you for saving my life and the young miss’s back at the entrance exams."
He waved it off with an easy laugh.
"Ahh, it’s fine. Really."
Auntie Chuyan glanced at the Sweet Jade Pavilion behind him, then gave a subtle nod toward several armored guards scattered among the civilians. In an instant, those guards moved in silence and pressed their baldes to the necks of the three assassins. Not a single one resisted as they were dragged into a nearby alley.
She turned back to Li Qingmu.
Her smile is charming and just a little teasing.
"I would love to sit and talk more with you, but it seems you’re... occupied with certain matters tonight."
At first he blinked, confused. Then he rembered exactly where he was standing and burst into loud laughter as he rubbed the back of his neck.
"Haha, you caught . I just ca down the mountain to stretch my legs a bit and... satisfy so urges. Hope that doesn’t make look too bad in your eyes."
Auntie Chuyan covered her mouth and giggled softly.
"How could it? You are an impressive young man with great talent. Your kind is free to do as you please even if it ans gifting your body to these common whores."
She cast an irritated side-glance at a few roadside prostitutes lounging nearby. Their cheap silks and heavy makeup clearly paled in comparison to her refined air.
"Though honestly... a man of your caliber deserves better than this dumpster of a place."
Li Qingmu blinked in surprise. She wasn’t scolding him for visiting a brothel at all... she was just disappointed he hadn’t chosen a higher-class one.
『I like this woman a lot!』
He shook his head with a grin.
"Then... do you have any suggestions?"
Her sea blue eyes sparkled.
"As it happens, yes. Allow to take you to the Flower Garden Tavern. Young Master Xu Xiaoshan is waiting there for you. He’s been looking forward to eting the man who saved his cousin ever since I told him the story."
Li Qingmu lifted an eyebrow.
"Xu Xiaoshan? I’ve never heard the na."
Auntie Chuyan smiled patiently.
"He’s the only son of the Minister of Transportation. Not the strongest cultivator, perhaps, but one of the most promising young masters in the Four Regions. Many immortal officials vie for his friendship because of the power his family holds over resource logistics. When I spoke of how you rescued and Lady Lingxi, he beca quite excited to et you."
Li Qingmu nodded slowly.
"A brothel, though?"
It certainly wasn’t the ideal place for a first eting.
She laughed lightly.
"This is no ordinary brothel. Co and see."
The Flower Garden Tavern stood on a quieter, more elegant street. Many outsiders mistook it for rely an upscale restaurant for nobles and high officials. In truth, it was a high-class pleasure house reserved for those who valued absolute discretion. The courtesans here were refined, self-respecting, and famously tight-lipped so they never bragged about the powerful n they entertained.
It wasn’t the most popular establishnt by volu, but its reputation among the elite was unmatched. Older officials often claid they felt ten years younger after a night with these young blood-sucking vixens.
They arrived soon after.
The inside was truly beautiful.
A large, multi-level hall filled with the soft glow of lanterns and layers of silk curtains. Along the upper floors, there were private sitting areas arranged like elegant viewing boxes in a theater. Each one was partly hidden behind thin screens that were carefully embroidered with foxes and clouds.
High-profile figures lounged within: a silver-haired elder from the Ministry of Rites laughed heartily with two slender beauties draped over his arms; a stern-faced general from the border legions sipped wine while a graceful dancer poured for him; even a few familiar nas from Li Qingmu’s old Imperial Academy scrolls appeared.
One particularly rotund official had three lithe prostitutes attending him, feeding him pastries while he boasted loudly about his latest breakthrough.
Li Qingmu followed Auntie Chuyan up a curving staircase to one of the private alcoves. A delicate-handed prostitute imdiately knelt beside him to pour fragrant wine into his cup and offer sweet pastries with a gentle smile. She was pretty enough, but compared to the legendary beauties Auntie Chuyan had described on the way here, Li Qingmu felt a wave of disappointnt.
『Why does she look so proud of herself?』
He sighed inwardly as the auntie bowed and gave him a smug little smile.
Just then, a well-dressed young lord stepped into the alcove and sat beside him without ceremony.
This had to be Xu Xiaoshan.
"Brother Li, forgive for wasting your ti."
Xu Xiaoshan said with a polite bow of his head.
"I rely wanted to see what beauties would grace the roster tonight before we spoke properly."
Li Qingmu raised a brow.
"What do you an by that?"
The obedient prostitute on Li Qingmu’s lap bowed her head ekly.
"This servant knows her looks are not enough to satisfy a man of your stature, Court Attendant Li. Please, save your money for the big sisters who will be presented later. I only wish to serve a genius like you."
Li Qingmu nodded quietly.
He will accept her words without argunt.
Xu Xiaoshan chuckled and gestured to her.
"Linger is an old friend. She gives information on everything that happens here... who cos, who goes, who leaves satisfied or furious and all that."
Li Qingmu tilted his head.
"Why would you need information like that?"
Maybe he owned the brothel?
"Hmm..."
Xu Xiaoshan took a slow sip of wine then pointed lazily toward the entrance below.
"Because of n like that."
The doors swung open.
Sect Master Dai Qiu of the Empyrean Thunder Sect paced in, resplendent in elegant purple-and-white robes trimd with silver lightning patterns. Instantly, a flock of prostitutes surrounded him as they giggled and cooed.
"Sect Master Dai! It’s been so long!"
"We heard you’d co today and managed to save your favorite sitting area!"
"Your favorite junior sisters have been practicing new dances just for you!"
Dai Qiu laughed heartily, already reaching out to pull two of them close. For him "long ti" ant three to five days at most. The beauties here adored him... he tipped generously, never caused trouble, and his powerful constitution made dual cultivation sessions legendary among them.
Xu Xiaoshan leaned closer to Li Qingmu.
"That’s Sect Master Dai Qiu. Head of the Empyrean Thunder Sect... your Exalted Sage School’s oldest rival. And he has close ties to my Uncle Wanshan... the one who put a bounty on your head."
Li Qingmu blinked owlishly.
"A bounty on my what?"
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