Chapter 32: You, Come Here (With gratitude for the Silver from Rookie Defeats Veteran)

The fourth floor of Moon-Inviting Pavilion was the quietest, or perhaps it wasn’t quite accurate to call it quiet—rather, the rooms were intentionally tucked away from the bustle, set apart from the crowds. The madam, holding gold ingots—biting each and every one to test their authenticity—found even the tiring climb up the stairs quite pleasing.

“Yiyi, Yiyi…”

In an establishment as grand as Moon-Inviting Pavilion, every girl was thoroughly trained in the arts after being selected. At this moment, a young woman sat at her desk, practicing her calligraphy with utmost concentration. She was dressed all in white: clean silk draped from her shoulders to her wrists, soft and pristine, unstained by the slightest speck of dust. The madam had seen countless beauties, but this Miss Yiyi was among the finest—her hair was jet black, falling softly at her temples; her lips were red and slightly parted; her skin was as smooth as cream, her waist was slender, her hands delicate, and her cheeks were flawless as white jade.

To the madam’s eye, this was no mere delicate girl—every inch of her, every gesture, was money in the bank.

“Madam, I’m here. What is it you need?”

The young woman rose to greet her guest, her voice as soft as a mosquito’s whisper, sweet and tender—enough to stir any man’s protective instincts.

“Yiyi, today is your lucky day. Just now, a young and handsome Master Ma arrived—handsome features, extraordinary bearing, and generous to boot. He asked to see you and handed over ten gold ingots without batting an eye. Clearly, he’s from a wealthy family. I’ve already agreed. Go wash up and prepare yourself—then go meet your guest.”

“Ten gold ingots? Someone paid that much just to see me?” Xie Yiyi couldn’t hide her delight, and she took the madam’s arm. “I owe it all to your guidance, madam. I know a pretty face alone won’t ensure a place in Changning. But who would be so eager to come to Moon-Inviting Pavilion in broad daylight?”

“Young men are always impatient. Who cares who he is? If he’s willing to spend that much and wants to see you, he must like you very much. This is a great thing for you. Just remember what I and the other girls have taught you—sweeten your words a bit more, and that’s all you need.”

“Of course, madam. I’ll go prepare now. Don’t worry, I won’t bring shame to the Pavilion’s name.”

“Good, good—my Yiyi is always so obedient.”

“Thank you, madam.”

Gu Yi was led to a room lavishly decorated, with exquisitely crafted tables, chairs, and teacups, and a fresh fragrance burning in the corner.

This fellow certainly knows how to pick a place, he thought.

He also wondered what sort of expression he’d see when the person arrived. Would it be surprise? Joy? Would he turn and run? Or perhaps argue, or even fight?

But what Gu Yi really wanted was to ask—why did he leave without a word?

Waiting in the room, he grew anxious, pacing back and forth, until he heard the faintest footsteps and hurried to open the door. “Little Yiyi! I’ve been looking all over for you!”

But he was greeted instead by the madam’s powder-caked face, nearly scaring him out of his wits.

“Oh, Master Ma, you’ve got the wrong person. But you do call out for little Yiyi so affectionately! No need to be so anxious—she’s ready and I’ll take you to her now.”

Gu Yi patted his chest, still startled. “Quick, quick, take me to her. I thought she was coming to me.”

The madam wondered whose child this was, so impatient. But thinking of the gold ingots, she swallowed her irritation and led the way.

After circling the pavilion several times and climbing another flight, the madam finally gestured to a door. “Miss Yiyi is inside.”

Enough talk.

He strode in and shut the door behind him.

Rounding the screen, he saw a young woman seated at the table, feigning a touch of shyness and greeting him with a gentle smile.

Faced with someone like this, Gu Yi’s courage grew—outside, he was intimidated by those fierce and bold types, but this was a different sort of “bullying the soft and fearing the hard.”

“Yiyi was studying just now, so my preparations were hasty. Forgive me for making you wait, sir.”

Could little Yiyi truly look like this? Gu Yi wasn’t sure, but she didn’t seem to recognize him at all.

“You… don’t know me?”

Miss Yiyi looked puzzled. “I’ve lived in the Pavilion for so long, I don’t know much of the outside world. If Master Ma is well-known in Luyang, do tell me about it, and I’ll remember you from now on.”

In theory, little Yiyi’s waist was always wrapped in bark, and she would never take it off—that should make her identity unmistakable. But this dainty young lady left Gu Yi tongue-tied.

“Well, I’m Gu Yi. If you really are Xie Yiyi, don’t pretend not to know me. I’m not going to do anything to you.”

At most, give you a beating.

The girl giggled. “I’m not quite sure what you mean, sir. Whether you’re Master Gu or Master Ma, I’m still grateful for your generosity. It’s an honor to be noticed by you.”

Was she pretending not to know him, or did she really not?

For a moment, Gu Yi couldn’t tell. But she was definitely called Xie Yiyi.

Or… was it just a common name?

He scratched his nose, pondering. Since he couldn’t be sure, he might as well check her waist—after all, he was the one paying.

“Well then, miss, I have a slightly bold request. Would you let me see your waist?”

“My waist…?” The girl was taken aback by his directness, but this was Changning Street’s Moon-Inviting Pavilion, after all. “Your request isn’t too much…”

She stood and shifted to the right, hands at her sides, exposing her waist.

But it wasn’t what Gu Yi had hoped for.

“You need to undo your clothes—I won’t be able to see otherwise.” Gu Yi’s shamelessness increased by the moment.

What? Just undress like that?

It was a strange request, and she couldn’t quite figure it out, so she tried to persuade him. “Sir, since you’ve entered the room, Yiyi is yours, and my waist is yours to see. But I’m not used to this—perhaps you could undress me yourself on the bed?”

Gu Yi was even more confused—this flirtatiousness was oddly familiar.

He circled her, stroking his chin, still undecided, when suddenly there was a commotion outside. It sounded faintly like Ma Yuan’s voice, calling, “Master! Master!”

Both Xie Yiyi and Gu Yi looked up.

Master Ma, after all, was a cultivator. If he really wanted to burst in, the madam couldn’t stop him, and he could quickly sense Gu Yi’s presence. He leapt straight to the fourth floor. “Master! Have you found her yet?”

Gu Yi snapped, “I’m in the middle of talking, didn’t I tell you to wait?”

“Master, something’s wrong! Please come out quickly.”

Useless fool!

“Little Yiyi, wait here. I’ll go see what’s happened.”

Xie Yiyi’s heart skipped a beat: Little… little Yiyi?

At that moment, the madam, panting heavily, finally made it up the stairs. “Master Ma, why didn’t you mention you’re from the Immortal Institute?!”

Ma Yuan looked baffled. “Huh? You never asked. What would I say if you didn’t?”

Gu Yi ignored the madam, grabbing bald Ma and drifting down the stairs. “What is it? Why all the fuss?”

The madam, having just climbed four floors, clung to the railing in despair. “Master Ma! I just got up here!”

She had no choice but to hurry back down, unwilling to risk her life with a jump.

Xie Yiyi also opened her door and stepped out, having heard mention of the Immortal Institute. “Madam, what’s going on? Who’s from the Immortal Institute?”

The madam, noticing she was still fully dressed, didn’t have time for questions. “That was Master Ma just now—there’s someone from the Luyang Institute outside!”

“Master Ma? You mean Master Gu, don’t you?” A glimmer of happiness appeared on Xie Yiyi’s face. “So he’s a cultivator from Luyang Institute?”

Wait!

Xie Yiyi’s expression suddenly changed. “Oh no! If he’s from the Luyang Immortal Institute, and the Inspector has come, won’t there be trouble?”

Saying this, she hurried downstairs as well—if nothing else, she had to confess first.

But in front of the Moon-Inviting Pavilion, there was no sign of the Inspector—he was across the street.

“You mean the Institute’s rules forbid students from coming to Changning?” Gu Yi hadn’t expected Ma Yuan to bring up this issue. “If that’s so, why didn’t you say so earlier?”

“Because I’ve done this plenty of times and never been caught. Even if you are, it depends on the situation—so I didn’t worry. Besides, it’s always quiet at noon. Even if the Inspector comes for a spot check, he’d never pick this time. Who knew today would be different?” Ma Yuan pointed out, and Gu Yi saw Wu Gang and Chen Mingguang kneeling before someone.

“The Inspector oversees student conduct—that’s him, with the stone face. I know him, his name is Fan Ling. He’s tough as iron, so let’s not get rough. This can be minor or serious—just beg him, and it’ll be fine.”

The man had a strange haircut, his black-and-white hair falling over half his face—who knew why.

Ma Yuan led Gu Yi closer, and Fan Ling looked at him too.

Though Changning Street was quiet at noon, two people kneeling outside still drew a crowd. The girls gossiped, passersby pointed and whispered.

Standing at the entrance, Xie Yiyi clenched her fists nervously, while the madam slapped her own face. “It’s my fault—I was blinded by money! We should’ve realized, anyone coming to the Pavilion at noon must be from the Immortal Institute! By the way, Yiyi, nothing happened between you, did it? Did he ask you to do anything?”

Xie Yiyi shook her head. “There wasn’t time. All this gentleman did was ask to see my waist.”

Everyone’s got their preferences, I suppose—even some who like waists.

“So he just looked at your waist? Will he ask for a refund?”

…

“You! Come here!”

Suddenly, Fan Ling pointed at Gu Yi, his voice cold and commanding.

Gu Yi looked behind him, raising his brows and pointing at his own nose. “Are you talking to me?”

Fan Ling pressed his right palm downward, then twisted it slightly. A surge of spiritual energy gathered, and before Gu Yi could react, he was pulled forward by an invisible force!

“Ah!” Xie Yiyi and the madam, standing behind, covered their mouths and screamed in fright.

If the Inspector lost his temper, they would all be in trouble.

Ma Yuan, startled, summoned his energy and rushed forward, shouting, “Inspector, have mercy! He’s not from the Institute!”

With a wave of his arm, Fan Ling sent Ma Yuan flying with a blast of spiritual power.

“Fool! What does it matter if he’s not from the Institute?” he said, fixing Gu Yi with his left eye.

Then he continued, “The Institute forbids its students from setting foot on Changning Street. My two students have always been obedient—until they met you… And you, the brother that Lady Ye has searched for years—on your first day here, you took money after drinking and spent ten gold to seek out a courtesan? Truly foolish. Even if you’re not from the Institute, you’ll surely become a wastrel in the future. I’ll give you a lesson on Lady Ye’s behalf—what of it?”

Frightened, Chen Mingguang and Wu Gang sobered up considerably.

Wu Gang kowtowed, “You’re mistaken, Inspector! It wasn’t Brother Gu who brought us here—I was the one who wanted to come. Brother Gu is a true man, not a wastrel. Please, spare him!”

Chen Mingguang echoed him, “Inspector, the fault lies with me and Wu Gang. We were drunk and acted on impulse. Brother Gu had nothing to do with it—he never said a word to persuade us to come to Changning! Also, Inspector, Brother Gu is new to Luyang and doesn’t know the Institute forbids students from entering Changning. He’s innocent—please punish us, but don’t involve Brother Gu!”

Ma Yuan, clearly frightened, dragged himself upright despite being knocked down and knelt before Fan Ling. “Please, Inspector, spare my master! He didn’t know of the Institute’s rules, and he’s not a cultivator. He’s weak—if you must punish someone, I’ll take his place!”

Fan Ling seemed surprised. “They all seem to like you.”

“Just lucky, I suppose. I meet good people,” Gu Yi replied, raising an eyebrow. “But they all seem to fear you.”

Fan Ling’s voice was cold. “It’s my duty to regulate students’ conduct. I’m not a killer. If they don’t break the rules, why would they fear me?”

Gu Yi said, “I’m not afraid of you.”