Chapter 29: Silver Is a Hobby, Cultivation Is the True Calling

In the pouring rain, Xian Ge Yue lay collapsed on the ground, his entire body in utter disarray.

He tried to get up several times, but each attempt was futile. The burning in his chest and the stabbing pain of his broken arm played havoc on every nerve.

Suddenly, the wind carried a different sound—hurried footsteps splashing through puddles.

Xian Ge Yue raised his head, a cold glint gradually surfacing in his eyes.

The newcomer, however, showed no fear, as if accustomed to such scenes.

He knelt by Xian Ge Yue’s side and helped him up from the ground.

“My apologies for arriving late, Master. Please, forgive me,” he murmured softly.

With that, he took out a medicine bottle, intending to open it with a flick of his fingers.

But a large hand pressed his down. “No need. Put it away. Since they’ve gone to such lengths to deliver this grand gift, I ought to keep it as a memento for a few days. Otherwise, hmph… would I have suffered in vain?”

The subordinate had no choice but to comply, supporting Xian Ge Yue as they walked slowly.

“What do you plan to do next, Master?”

“We’re going to the Nine Luminaries House. I’m in a foul mood and need someone to talk to.” Xian Ge Yue wiped the rain from his face. “Good for you, Fu Qing Feng. Just you wait.”

“…Understood.” The subordinate glanced at his master, hesitated, but ultimately agreed.

So be it. The pleasures of men are always the same. Besides, for his master to go was already a condescension.

By midday, the sun shone brightly over the royal city. The doors of the Nine Luminaries House on East Street were shut tight; inside, most of the girls were either asleep or cultivating.

Catching his master’s signal, the subordinate went to knock.

The door soon swung open, and the madam appeared, grumbling as she came out.

“Knocking at this hour? Can’t a woman get some peace? Never seen a woman before, or have you just lost your mind craving one?”

“You—”

“What? Planning to get rough? Don’t you know who I am? I’m Yi Zhi Chun!” The madam, with her mature allure, possessed a charm untouched by youth; every glance and gesture was captivating.

Her fiery temperament only added to her unique beauty.

The subordinate wanted to argue but was silenced by a look from Xian Ge Yue, who addressed the madam, “I know who you are. I wonder, though, if the girls inside are as enchanting as you?”

As he spoke, his gaze brazenly roved over Yi Zhi Chun.

She covered her mouth with her sleeve and laughed coquettishly. “Why, of course. As long as you have the means, I can find any beauty you desire.”

“Qin Mo,” Xian Ge Yue called to his subordinate.

“Here. Is this enough?” Qin Mo produced a gold ingot and tossed it to the madam.

“More than enough. Now, are you seeking poetic intimacy or musical conversation?” Yi Zhi Chun caught the gold with both hands, instantly beaming as she lovingly stroked the smooth bar.

Xian Ge Yue glanced down at his mud-caked body and said curtly, “Spare me the pretenses. I’m in a foul mood. Just find someone clever enough to talk.”

“Very well, please follow me.” Yi Zhi Chun swayed ahead, leading them upstairs.

She opened a guest room door. “Please, gentlemen.”

Inside, the room was tastefully furnished, not at all the den of vice one might expect, but with a certain tranquil charm.

Yet after a while, no girl appeared. Growing impatient, Xian Ge Yue called out, “Madam, where is the one I asked for?”

Yi Zhi Chun leaned against the door, the gold ingot in her hands. She breathed on it, wiped it with a brocade handkerchief, and inspected it closely.

“You’ve paid the entrance fee, gentlemen. Now that you’re inside, any further company will require a separate payment.”

Qin Mo, already disgusted, bristled at her words. “You’ve cultivated yourself into a miser, haven’t you?”

Throwing money into a river would at least make a splash. Here, it vanished without a trace. She wasn’t even the top courtesan, yet acted as though women were a rarity.

Xian Ge Yue cared little for the money, but the madam’s attitude irked him. He sat down, knocking on the table with a half-smile. “How much, then, Madam, to have a girl come out to see us?”

“That depends… on your sincerity.”

“Qin Mo.”

“Here, handle with care—don’t burn your fingers.” Qin Mo, in a huff, flung down two neat rows of gold ingots—ten in all, each worth fifty taels.

Yi Zhi Chun clapped her hands, and soon a maid entered.

“Madam,” the maid greeted.

“Go tell Wang You there’s a guest.”

“Yes, madam.”

After a moment, the maid returned, accompanied by a young woman. Once the introductions were made, the madam swept the gold ingots into her sleeve. “There you are. Wang You, see to our distinguished guest. Do not neglect them.”

“I understand. Thank you, madam.” The young woman’s bow was as elegant as autumn water.

“Come here, what’s your name?” Xian Ge Yue poured himself a cup of water.

Seeing this, Qin Mo quietly slipped outside and closed the door.

Inside, Wang You took the kettle and refilled his cup, her voice soft and melodious. “This humble one is called Wang You.”

“No, I meant your real name. With your looks and bearing, you shouldn't have to live this life.” Xian Ge Yue seized her wrist, inhaling the delicate fragrance of her jade-like hand.

A subtle scent, intoxicating.

Looking at Wang You again, his eyes grew entranced.

Wang You, unable to break free, simply leaned gently against him. “Let us not ask after each other’s pasts. Why trouble yourself with my story? I am just another unfortunate soul in this world. If you wish, let me serve you well and fulfill this fleeting destiny.”

Xian Ge Yue released her, gazing blankly at her. “Very well. What can you do?”

Wang You lowered her lashes, her hand gliding over him as she leaned on his shoulder. “You wish for conversation—I am skilled in oral arts.”

With that, she eased him onto the bed, her deft fingers loosening his belt.

As her touch wandered, she bent lower—but suddenly slumped to the side.

“Get lost!” Xian Ge Yue shoved her away and calmly retied his belt, his demeanor utterly changed from a moment ago.

He called to the door, “Qin Mo.”

Qin Mo entered, sneaking a glance at his master. “That was fast, Master. All done?”

Xian Ge Yue, knowing exactly what he was thinking, hurled a pillow at him.

“What’s in that pig brain of yours?”

“Heh heh… Um, Master, what should we do with her?”

“What else? Let her lie there. Or should I have her get up and amuse you?”

“No, no, I’m just a rough fellow, couldn’t handle it.” He solemnly replaced the pillow and stepped aside.

Joking—if the master has been through that, I’d be walking into my own death.

They say beauties are the downfall of heroes. Frankly, this is more like bones turned to dust. Fall in, and not even a scrap remains.

“How’s the old man lately? Any movement?” Xian Ge Yue straightened his clothes, glancing at his broken arm.

“Nothing.”

“Nothing? That’s not like him. Has he changed or just given up?”

Qin Mo shook his head. “I’m not sure. But some big fish have arrived recently.”

“Oh? When?”

“Around half a day ago.”

“What do they want?”

“Two unruly creatures from the Demon Realm have surfaced. Someone is offering a hefty price to maintain peace between the realms. Shall we take the job?”

“Of course. We do business—why turn away a deal? If we ever refuse, it’s because the price isn’t right. If it’s not right, then we ‘encourage’ them to make it right.”

Qin Mo nodded. “I’ll spread the word.”

“Wait—have we found out who made the move?”

“Not yet. They covered their tracks well. We traced the evidence, only to find it was a ruse. The real perpetrator is long gone.”

“Interesting. As long as they’re willing to spend, I’m not about to say no. Also, tell everyone to be careful—don’t mistake piranhas for mermaids. Those teeth are sharp. If anyone slips up, I’ll have him for supper myself.” Xian Ge Yue shook out his robes and sat down with a scowl.

“Yes, I’ll take my leave.”

Once Qin Mo departed, Xian Ge Yue finally closed his eyes to heal.

When his internal injuries were mostly recovered, he gazed at his broken arm, pondering whether to fix it.

Solid evidence. Would be a shame to waste it…

But as his eyes fell again on Wang You lying on the bed, a tumult stirred in his gaze.

In this world of carnal desire, where immortals are as common as dogs and the strong are as forests, how could a powerless woman hide in the Nine Luminaries House?

And with her seductive magic and peculiar fragrance—most importantly, on her, he detected a familiar scent.

A scent he loathed, yet could not escape.

Such a person, hiding her true self in a brothel? If there wasn’t a secret, he’d be fooling himself.

Suddenly, he rose, returned to the bed, and with a flick of his sword finger, shredded her robes to tatters.

Letting the curtains fall, soft rustlings could be heard, clothes flying out one after another.

The noises from within the gauzy canopy were intermittent, enough to make a heart race.

In the next room, after spying for some time, Yi Zhi Chun set aside her peony painting, grabbed some sunflower seeds, and began shelling them idly.

“Kid, once you walk through these doors, drop the act. Only after you’ve tasted the flower’s sweetness will you know that no treasure compares to this one night.”

By the time Xian Ge Yue stepped out of the Nine Luminaries House, it was already the next day.

A soul that had hovered at death’s door many times had at last returned to the living.

Hua Yin entered with a bowl of medicine, just in time to see Yi Qing Chen struggling to sit up.

He hurriedly set the medicine on a stool by the bed and rushed to support her. “Young mistress, you’re finally awake! Are you feeling unwell? Hungry? I can—”

“No, thank you. I’m not hungry, just a bit weak.” Yi Qing Chen smiled faintly. Having returned from the brink of death, she still felt out of sorts.

“Let me feed you the medicine, then.” Hua Yin reached for the bowl.

“Thank you, but I can manage.” Her cheeks reddened as she looked at him, a trace of shyness coloring her features.

Though people in the mortal world were not bound by such propriety, she was still a woman—there was always some awkwardness.

Especially since he… was so enthusiastic.

Hua Yin, belatedly realizing her discomfort, awkwardly apologized. “Forgive me. I was being presumptuous.”

He handed her the bowl.

Yi Qing Chen took it, sipped, and immediately furrowed her brows.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, just a little bitter.” She pinched her nose and downed it in one gulp.

Yet the bitterness hit her stomach and surged up. She quickly covered her lips and forced it down.

She was no longer the young mistress she once was. From the moment she awoke, she had lost the right to fear bitterness.

“Have some water,” Hua Yin urged, pouring her a cup.

“Thank you, Brother Hua.”

“N-no need to thank me.” Damn, why was he so nervous?

“I’ll let the others know you’re awake.” At once, he fled with the bowl.

As soon as he stepped outside, his voice rang out, “Brothers, the young mistress is awake!”

Yi Qing Chen’s eyes brightened. Was it him…