Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 529 Top Leader, Guardian Jiang

Seeing that Dugu Qingli's expression was unusual, Lu Xingzhou asked in a low voice, "What's wrong?"

Dugu Qingli said, "This courtesan doesn't seem human; she has an aura of death. Don't let your lust lead you astray, or you'll die."

Lu Xingzhou's expression turned serious.

He was no stranger to the so-called death aura. Theoretically, the previous King of Beihai and all the ice sculptures in the city were corpse puppets, and the Old Man of Yin Wind even fought directly with corpse puppets. Lu Xingzhou had come into contact with that kind of aura that didn't seem like that of a living person.

But he couldn't tell that this courtesan was also one, and the courtesan was beautiful and vibrant, not at all like a corpse puppet.

"Your senses are correct? Can a corpse puppet be trained to look so much like a living person? Or is it something like a disguise?"

"I don't know... maybe she's different from a corpse puppet?" Dugu Qingli seemed a little unsure of herself. "In short, I don't feel like she's human."

When it comes to this kind of keen insight, like a heart as clear as ice and a sword mind as clear as a mirror, Lu Xingzhou absolutely trusts Dugu Qingli: "That means there is another type of cultivation that we have never encountered before."

After thinking for a moment, he asked Liu Yan'er, "This pleasure boat belongs to Chunshan Pavilion. Do these courtesans perform and entourage so frequently?"

Liu Yan'er was terrified by their conversation. Was this a field she could venture into?
Hearing this, she cautiously replied, "It happens from time to time, but not too frequently. Besides, all the brothels in the city are actually owned by Chunshan Pavilion. Without Chunshan Pavilion's permission, no one dares to steal business from you..."

"Only filming the first time? Were there any cases where the woman was immediately kidnapped?"

"That's true. The last courtesan was directly redeemed by the prefect to be his concubine, and some were bought by cultivators from outside the region."

Lu Xingzhou nodded, remaining silent in thought.

Dugu Qingli said, "Why does this sound more and more like the sect of the Enchanting Maidens' Union?"

Lu Xingzhou said, "We have technical support... but the key is this death aura. We need to understand this before we can take the next step."

Dugu Qingli's eyes turned strange: "You want to bid?"

Lu Xingzhou asked, "Is there a better solution?"

Dugu Qingli turned her head away, slightly annoyed.

I knew it. First, he came all this way, then he hesitated to go in, step by step, he just wanted the courtesan.

Lu Xingzhou couldn't help but laugh at her cute expression: "Alright, alright, just kidding, we're not suitable for bidding."

Dugu Qingli stared at him intently.

“The brothel madam doesn’t know you or me, and she wouldn’t report ‘I saw a white-haired customer today’ as a big deal. At most, it’s just something to talk about. But this courtesan is different. Her mission is mostly to seduce important people. Whoever takes a picture of her, Zang Wanchun will probably know about it that night.”

Dugu Qingli pursed her lips: "So it's my appearance that's ruining things..."

"Of course not." Lu Xingzhou rubbed her head: "My portrait, Lu Xingzhou, has long been on Zang Wanchun's desk. Even without you, once I win the bid for the courtesan, Zang Wanchun will know it's me after a little research. There's no difference."

"Then why did you say you were traveling incognito..."

"Our so-called 'undercover' is just to get a little information before making official contact, not to hide and do thievery. Otherwise, we would both have to disguise ourselves, it's not just you who is special."

Dugu Qingli's slight sadness vanished quickly, and she smiled again.

Liu Yan'er: "..."

Look at how worthless she is, and she calls herself the Holy Maiden of Tianyao.

As a woman who could resist Lu Xingzhou's gaze back then, Liu Yan'er was truly exceptional.

The three of them remained silent for a moment, turning their heads to watch the courtesan's performance below.

For Lu Xingzhou, who had been living in this world for so long, this was not only his first time visiting a brothel, but also his first time watching a talent show.

Aside from brothels, talent performances were generally only held at banquets of high-ranking officials and nobles, but Lu Xingzhou never participated in any such banquets, nor did he keep any dancers or singers at home. Despite his reputation for being lecherous, his actions were completely contrary to the image of a womanizer people had of him. Sometimes, Yang Dechang and others in the Lu family would chat privately and even feel that the Marquis was somewhat wronged; he was simply of a higher caliber, and compared to most high-ranking officials and nobles, he was practically self-disciplined.

There are also gatherings of socialites, occasionally featuring small performances and competitions like playing musical instruments and painting. Pei Chuyun often comes out on top, but unfortunately, men are generally not allowed to participate in these events; ladies from respectable families wouldn't perform for men in public. It's only in female-oriented online novels that this kind of female-on-female competition is so fantasized, while simultaneously claiming to despise it.

So even Jiang Yuan was often shown talent shows by Pei Chuyun, but Lu Xingzhou had never seen them.

It's quite interesting to watch. The ancient style Hanfu dance is beautiful, and the courtesan's singing voice is melodious. She is good at both singing and dancing, but it's a pity there is no rap.

As she sang and danced, she removed her shawl and outer garment, revealing a strapless top that accentuated her fair and slender waist as she swayed, making her quite eye-catching.

No matter how you look at it, you can't see any signs of death... Especially since this courtesan has cultivated herself, and her perception is actually at the sixth rank. From Lu Xingzhou's perspective, which now combines the ultimate understanding of Yin and Yang and the joy of union between women, she is an excellent furnace.

So the older generation really knew how to live. When they had nothing to do, they would go to brothels to listen to music. Even when they came to listen to music, they were full of calculations. Sigh.

"Bravo!" Thunderous cheers erupted from below, and red ribbons were thrown onto the stage with abandon.

Wuling was young and struggling with his head, and there was an unknown number of red ribbons.

The feeling of a sixth-rank cultivator performing a seductive dance for you is particularly fulfilling, far surpassing that of an ordinary courtesan.

A pimp with a plaster on his head walked onto the stage with a grin: "Today is the wedding day of our daughter Qianqian. Everyone has seen her beauty and talent. Now, let's start the competition for the groom. Don't miss out!"

Dugu Qingli asked in a low voice, "Why does he have a plaster on his head?"

Lu Xingzhou didn't know why these pimps all had this image; it was all a stereotype. But what was the reason? After thinking for a long time, he said uncertainly, "Cuckold pimps all have a patch on their heads, so it's an imagined cuckold." Dugu Qingli: "?"

A bid quickly came from below: "One hundred taels!"

"Three hundred taels!"

"One thousand taels!"

"Three thousand taels!"

Lu Xingzhou's eyes widened slightly. He'd gone mad. Three thousand taels of silver, just for one night?
What about diamonds?
Oh right, a sixth-grade furnace cauldron, truly inlaid with diamonds.

No wonder Zang Wanchun, a local leader, would engage in these activities; they're really lucrative...

A shout came from a private room in the distance: "One hundred high-grade spirit stones."

It's a different story when the big shots in the private rooms participate; they skip the gold and start with spirit stones or high-grade items.

After a moment of silence, someone chimed in, "Two hundred high-grade spirit stones!"

"three hundred!"

Just as I was admiring the extravagance of this group of powerful people, a deliberately gruff voice came from the next private room to my right: "Five hundred high-grade spirit stones."

Lu Xingzhou and Dugu Qingli both widened their eyes.

Jiang Yuan?

The two simultaneously probed the next room with their divine senses and saw Jiang Yuan dressed in men's clothing, with a man's hairstyle, sitting there expressionless. Her chest, somehow concealed, was actually flat, and she even had a slight Adam's apple.

No, your spirit stones were just looted from the Ice Prison Sect, and we gave them to you.

While it's true that he looks unusually handsome in men's clothing... do you even have that thing? Isn't this just a freebie? You beg for food in front of us, then turn around and become the top spender in a live stream, right?

Others were still bidding: "Five hundred and fifty."

It's now increased to 50-50 increments, which clearly means the price has reached its limit.

Jiang Yuan's voice came again: "Eight hundred!"

Lu Xingzhou: “…”

The pleasure boat was completely silent. The pimp grinned and said, "The young master in room T has offered eight hundred high-grade spirit stones. Is there anyone offering a higher bid?"

Of course not. Eight hundred high-grade spirit stones can buy a decent cave dwelling. Only a lunatic would buy a virginity.

You don't care about the money you get from begging, do you?

Jiang Yuan retracted the snail's antennae that had been propping up in the corner and sniffed. Who wants someone else's virginity? I still have mine; why would I want someone else's?
It's because you all want to get a closer look at this courtesan, but you don't dare to show yourselves.

I had no choice but to ask this bodyguard to help the boss solve his problem, and I even paid out of my own pocket.

"Send Qianqian to the bridal chamber!" The pimp smiled and led the courtesan to Jiang Yuan's room. When he opened the door, Qianqian's eyes lit up.

What a handsome young man! His eyes are even sparkling with desire; he's clearly a charming and romantic young man.

Jiang Yuan tossed out the spirit stones expressionlessly. The pimp bowed and scraped as he took the money and left. As soon as he stepped out of the room, he sent a video to his superiors: "The person who filmed Qianqian's first night is an unknown young master."

The order came from above: "First, let Qianqian investigate his background. His cultivation level and social standing."

"Young Master~" Qianqian leaned closer, her breath as fragrant as orchids: "Thank you for your kindness, Young Master. Qianqian toasts you with a cup."

Jiang Yuan reached out to stop Qianqian from getting close, her face expressionless: "Let's not touch each other yet, let's have some drinks and chat."

In reality, he wanted to portray a dashing young master but didn't know how, so he could only play the role of a cold and aloof young master with a blank expression.

If your acting skills aren't good enough, just make up for it with a blank expression.

Qianqian was not offended: "Young master will be Qianqian's husband tonight... Husband, what is your honorable name?"

Jiang Yuan said in a deep voice, "Jiang Chenzhou."

Lu Xingzhou stroked his chin. Although he was being targeted, the name was surprisingly protagonist-like.

"A fine name." Qianqian's eyes sparkled. "Young master, is this your first time visiting a brothel?"

Jiang Yuan said, "Yes, that's why I fell in love with you at first sight."

"Hehe..." Qianqian leaned closer again: "Young master, don't be nervous, just leave everything to Qianqian..."

Jiang Yuan's whole body was tense.

Damn it, why are these women in such a hurry? Can't they just drink first...? Lu Xingzhou, what kind of show are you watching? If you get any closer, I'm going to give myself away!

(End of this chapter)