Strolling through the bustling street, packed with all kinds of people, Xue Lian thoughts were clouded.
His hand rested against his chin as he mulled over Yu Cheng's words from earlier.
'The Path to Dual Cultivation?'
Curiosity gnawed at Xue Lian. With the little knowledge he had of this world, he knew he was vulnerable. He needed more information, even if it meant taking some risks to uncover it.
"If the previous Xue Lian wasn't able to cultivate, does that also apply to me?"
Xue Lian wondered. He lifted his head, gazed upon the sky, it was nearly midday, and the sun was stunning hot.
Sweat dropped from his face, showcasing how incredibly hot it was.
"If that's the case, then I'd need to do it with a lady to gain some Qi energy." Xue Lian continued walking. From a side line, he might look like a man who was talking with no sense of direction, however his destination was clear.
"I'm not planning on getting married whatsoever.
Was what I told Yu Cheng, when he asked what I thought about it. I don't know how he might have felt when I told him that, however the expression he had on his face said it all. He was… disappointed. It must be a lot knowing that he wouldn't be delivering good news to whoever sent him.
Speaking of who sent him, I really know much about this man called my father, however I wouldn't do it. This is my life, and mine to live as I see fit. No one is going to get in my way."
Xue Lian halted, he turned to his left, gazing upon the familiar building before him.
It was the brothel.
A large elegant inn, adored with red lanterns, carved wooden railings, and silk banners fluttering in the wind, with the title brothel body written on it, along with other names such as pleasure house. It was a typical two story building, but with a large length.
The building was located almost near the busy market.
'I wonder how I didn't notice this detail, my first time here.' Xue Lian wondered, onto himself.
'Yi Fei should be inside here by now. I need to know why she left without telling me, and also find out how I can spend another night with her. I may not look it, but I'm really craving what I didn't eat last night.
Truly, I'm surprised myself. Considering how I really wanted to have sex, I didn't do it when a lady was laying right in front of me. Somehow, I thought I didn't need to rush it. Somehow, I thought that I'd have another chance.
Is this always a feeling I've had? Or is it something from the previous Xue Lian?'
While Xue Lian stood at the entrance to the brothel, a couple of male and females rushed in and out with smiles on their faces.
They were either excited about the pleasure they were going to gain, or the pleasure they had already had.
Either one, it was a sight befitting for a brothel.
"I think I'd go in now."
___
Couple of miles away from Xue Lian, before entering the brothel. There were eyes glowing in the darkness of an alley.
They were filled with rage and bloodlust, their breath heavy, teeth clenched, like a predator waiting for the right moment to strike its prey.
Their eyes steadily fixed at Xue Lian, no blinking, just staring. They were the predators', and he was the prey.
Just before Xue Lian, entered the brothel, he uttered.
"Sheesh… why do I feel a certain chill in my body? Am I anxious?"
Then, he entered.
___
Graced by a spacious lounge filled with cushions and low table, the brothel extended a soft fragrance of burning incense. An elevated stage held a performance, the gentle strains of the guzheng accompanied by courtesans, dancing in flowing white robes, their sheer silk sleeves and embroidered sashes swirling with every elegant, innocent step.
Xue Lian was impressed with what he saw. He wouldn't have guessed, such a place could give him a heartwarming sensation, although there is one thing he knew most brothels are good at collecting, and hat was… information.
From the corner of his eye, he caught a lingering gaze. A maid-in-training stood frozen, dumbstruck at the sight of him, before abruptly turning, and sprinting off in a flustered hurry.
"I guess that's my cue." Xue Lian muttered. "With the way she ran off like that, I'm guessing she would be going to wherever Yi Fei is. She must have told them to keep an eye on my arrival."
Xue Lian turned, as he saw another lady approaching him, she was dressed in a red robe showcasing passion and attractiveness, with silk sleeves, a smile on her face, while she stopped upon arriving at his front.
"How can I help you… Sir?" She spoke with an elegant voice, it was calm, breathtaking, yet shivering. It was obvious, this was her first time doing this.
Xue Lian noticed, although he couldn't blame her. In places like these, new ladies are brought in, almost every day, and are trained to attend to customers.
However, most of them are not familiar with such methods. Most are either from a noble house, where they don't usually do this kind of thing, and when they are brought here, they find it hard to adapt easily.
"I am looking for the manager… Yi Fei?" Xue Lian responded, his hand tucked into his robe his back.
The lady stared at him, confusion flickering in her eyes. The fact that he knew the manger's name let her regard him as an important customer. A guests perhaps?
"I-I…" she stuttered, trying to find the right words to say. However…
"Right this way Sir." A voice spoke from a distance.
It was the same lady who sprinted off earlier, after seeing him. She wore a white robe, different from what the other lady was wearing. The styles and designs were also different, showcasing that she was ranked above the lady in red.
The lady gestured in a direction for him. "The manager is right this way." She said, her voice calm and steady.
Xue Lian gazed upon the lady in red for a moment, before leaving, with a smile on his face, as though saying… she did well.
..
"Please have a seat."
Within a silver adorned chamber, lined with elegant ink paintings, a delicate fragrance clung to the air, sweet, refined, and unmistakenly a noblewoman's domain.
"Madam Yi Fei would be right with you in a moment." The lady assured him, sliding the shut before departing with a graceful bow.
'Madame?' Xue Lian thought. 'Yi Fei, a Madame? She didn't look like that to me. She's way too young to be called that. Or is she using some kind of cultivation technique to make her skin less older than she is?
Neh, my eyes can't deceive me. I know I used to have one eye, but now I have two.'
Xue Lian touched his right eye, feeling its ability to see. However, just when he was about to conclude his judgement, the door slid open.
Before him stood a lady draped in a violet, transparent robe adored with faintly glowing stones. The dress covered her entirely, yet it was sheer enough to reveal her form, darkened only around her chest and lower part, leaving the rest of her body visible in a tantalizing display.
Her hair hung damp and disheveled, as if she had just stepped out from a bath, as the lingering moisture on her skin caused the robe to cling seductively to her curves.
Xue Lian was dumbfounded by the breaking beauty before him. It felt as though he were gazing upon a goddess sent from the heavens, so stunning that the words slipped from his mouth without thought.
"Yi Fei?"