A Blood-Moving Realm has arrived in the world of The Return of the Condor Heroes.

As Zhang Huai stepped across the vermilion threshold, a warm breeze carrying the scents of cosmetics and wine wafted towards him.

The room was dimly lit, with a dozen or so octagonal red lanterns hanging from the large, gilded pillars, and the floor tiles were polished to a shine.

Before Zhang Huai could even stand still, the madam inside the room led several beautiful women to surround him.

Earlier, when the three of them were strolling outside, the madam had noticed Zhang Huai. Based on her years of experience, she could tell at a glance that the man in front of her was a big customer.

The madam wasn't very old, but her sweet voice gave Zhang Huai goosebumps.

"Sir, please come in. Would you like a private room to listen to music, or perhaps you'd like some ladies to keep you company with a couple of drinks?"

The girls around her chimed in, "Young master, how about we have a drink together?"

A bead of sweat appeared on Zhang Huai's forehead. This was his first time in a place like this, and he couldn't help but feel nervous. However, he still tried to remain calm and said, "Find me... find me a quiet private room."

The madam had been working at the brothel for countless years and could tell at a glance that Zhang Huai was a newcomer and probably still a virgin.

A slight smile played on her lips. She liked this kind of guest the most, especially since he was a young nobleman.

The madam said calmly, "This way, sir."

Zhang Huai followed the madam up to the second floor and was led to a private room.

The private room was covered with thick cotton cushions, and an exquisite fruit platter was placed on the table. There was also a small door inside, which led directly to the lobby on the first floor. From there, one could see the dancers playing instruments and singing in the lobby.

The madam who had greeted the guests earlier led in two more beautiful girls, one carrying a pipa and the other holding a jade flute.

Zhang Huai put the black iron rod aside and sat down.

"What kind of music would you like to hear, sir?"

Listening to music? Did he come here just to listen to music?

But he had no experience and was too embarrassed to ask questions for fear of being laughed at, so he could only wave his hand and say, "You can go down now. These two girls stay here. I have my own arrangements."

"Okay, just call me if you need anything."

After the madam finished speaking, she left, making sure to close the door behind her.

Zhang Huai was still a little reserved. He beckoned to the woman holding the jade flute and asked, "What skills do you have?"

The woman bowed slightly and replied, "Young master, I can play the xiao (vertical flute)."

Zhang Huai: ? ? ?

"Then blow one for me to see?"

Zhang Huai said with some excitement.

The woman holding the flute curtsied and gracefully sat down before the table. She raised her slender hand, her jade-like fingers resting lightly on the flute's holes, and with a slight parting of her lips, a delicate melody flowed forth.

No way? It really was just playing the flute. He thought there was some other trick involved.

Zhang Huai immediately lost interest. Although the sound of the flute was melodious and clear, like water hitting a blue stone, he couldn't muster any enthusiasm for it.

He had some things he couldn't bring himself to say, so he could only listen to the entire piece in a daze.

Suddenly, a commotion broke out in the hall, attracting Zhang Huai's attention. He quickly left the private room and went to the railing to watch the excitement.

Zhang Huai leaned on the railing and looked down, only to see the people in the hall whispering among themselves, their faces full of excitement.

"Gentlemen, please be patient!" The madam who had just served Zhang Huai stepped forward and announced loudly, "Our Miss Yaoyue from the Yihong Courtyard will be showing off her skills today!"

The crowd immediately began to whisper among themselves: "Have you heard? Miss Yaoyue's father passed away, and she has no money for a burial, so she's going to sell herself!"

"Huh? That can't be right! Doesn't the brothel only sell entertainment, not sex?"

"Are you stupid! The government forbids them from selling themselves because they're not allowed to. If Miss Yaoyue is doing it voluntarily, what right does the government have to interfere?"

"That's true."

Zhang Huai also heard the discussion downstairs and immediately became interested—wasn't this what he came here for?

The madam waved her handkerchief, her eyes full of flirtatious intent: "The gentlemen here today are truly blessed! Whoever pays the most generous tip will not only get to watch Miss Yaoyue perform a captivating, intimate dance, but will also be invited to your private room for a private chat under the lamplight!"

Before the words were even finished, the atmosphere downstairs became even more lively.

"What a pity, even in a small place like ours, there are plenty of wealthy gentlemen. It's probably not our turn."

"You think you can get close to her? You should be content just to watch Miss Yaoyue dance with us gentlemen."

Zhang Huai turned to the maid beside him and asked, "How should we handle the tipping?"

The woman holding the pipa replied, "Young master, you only need to give us the reward money, and we will arrange everything for you."

Zhang Huai nodded thoughtfully.

The sound of orchestral music gradually rose from downstairs, and Yaoyue began to dance gracefully to the music.

She twirled and turned, her smoky-colored skirt fluttering like a butterfly, her jade wrists swaying gently, her waist gracefully moving. The sound of the flute accompanied her dance steps, captivating all the guests in the hall.

Zhang Huai's attention was also firmly drawn to it.

Yao Yue was indeed beautiful, with delicate features, her eyebrows as slender as willow leaves, and her skin a natural pinkish-white. She wore no heavy makeup, only a touch of vermilion at the corner of her mouth, and a faint smile played on her lips, but her eyes held a trace of unyielding sorrow.

After the dance ended, the entire hall erupted in applause.

The maids, carrying mahogany trays, began to move among the guests.

"Young Master Chen has awarded fifty coins!"

"Young Master Li has awarded me one hundred coins!"

"Master Wang has awarded five hundred coins!"

Each time the reward was announced, the maid's voice was exceptionally loud. Those who followed had to offer increasingly higher and higher rewards so as not to be outdone.

In these chaotic times of war, it was already considered a generous gesture for a small place to be able to give a reward of tens to hundreds of coins, but Yao Yue on the stage still frowned deeply—this amount of money was still too little for her.

Zhang Huaichao, who was upstairs, gave the woman playing the jade flute a wink.

The woman immediately stepped forward, bowed, and asked, "Would you like to give a tip, sir?"

"Um."

Zhang Huai gave a faint reply.

He took out a handful of loose silver from his pocket, weighed it in his hand, and, finding it wasn't much, casually handed it to the woman.

The woman took the silver and quickly left.

Not long after, a maid downstairs shouted loudly:

"Zhang Huai, Young Master Zhang, please give a reward of ten thousand coins!"

The audience erupted in uproar.

"Ten thousand coins! That's a full four or five taels of silver, enough for my family's expenses for more than half a year!"

"That's right! I wonder which wealthy family's young master he is. Compared to him, the rich families in our town are nothing!"

"Comparing yourself to others will only make you miserable!"

......

Zhang Huai upstairs was also somewhat surprised. When he first received it, he thought it wasn't much, but he didn't expect it to be so valuable.

Zhang Huai, belatedly realizing the situation, now felt a pang of sympathy.

All eyes turned to the private room where Zhang Huai was. Yao Yue nodded slightly to him, gazing at his figure, and thought to herself, "To be with such a handsome young man is perhaps the best outcome for me."

Zhang Huai also raised his glass and responded with a smile.