Chapter 470: Phoenix Cry Pavilion
The girl didn’t reply directly, instead asking with a giggle, “Hehe, young master, where are you from?”
Xu Sanyan pulled out his token and flashed it briefly. Yue’er’s eyes widened as she recognized it, and she covered her mouth with a soft gasp. “Ah, Yue’er’s eyes deceived her! I didn’t realize I was addressing an Immortal Master from Shangyin Mountain. Please, come inside at once.”
“Is this not enough?” Xu Sanyan casually draped his arm over her shoulder, his hand slowly caressing Yue’er’s bare shoulder.
This scene drew displeased glances from several figures lurking in the shadows. One of them muttered under his breath, “Hmph, another clueless fool trying to grope the madam.”
“Guests are guests, and those who come here are usually of high status. We can’t afford to offend them.”
“That’s only because the madam prefers to avoid trouble. If she…”
“Watch your tongue.”
“Hmph!”
Yue’er subtly evaded Xu Sanyan’s hand, her voice playfully reproachful. “Since this is your first time here, young master, allow me to introduce you to our establishment’s… specialties.”
Yue’er led Xu Sanyan and Xia Zhi through the throng of dancing girls. Jade-like arms reached out, slender legs flashed past, and the rustle of sleeves filled the air with fragrant scents. Xia Zhi, determined not to appear out of place, hunched slightly, trying to blend in.
“As you can see, this is our Phoenix Cry Pavilion’s signature performance, ‘Hundred Phoenixes Facing the Sun.’ If any of the dancers catch your eye, simply let me know.”
“We also have ‘Dragon and Phoenix in Harmony,’ ‘Phoenix Flute and Luan Pipe,’ ‘Phoenix and Luan in Concord,’ ‘Climbing the Dragon and Clinging to the Phoenix’…”
Yue’er rattled off over a dozen names, each sounding more intriguing than the last, completely igniting Xu Sanyan’s interest. “Excellent, quite impressive,” he remarked.
He noticed that all the women possessed cultivation levels, some even reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm—a level that would make them core disciples in smaller sects.
Yet the most powerful among them was undoubtedly Yue’er, standing beside him at the Peak Stage of the Dao Seeking Realm!
Though she concealed her aura, Xu Sanyan’s keen perception pierced through her disguise. A cultivator at the Peak Stage of the Dao Seeking Realm, running a pleasure barge?
Or was she merely a front, a puppet used by some noble lady behind the scenes to amass wealth?
Xu Sanyan shook his head inwardly. Whatever the truth, it was none of his concern.
Meanwhile, Second Young Master Yuan of the Yuan Clan, caught up in the revelry, reached out to embrace a dancer. Whether intentionally or not, she deftly evaded his grasp, leaving him clutching at air. Stumbling forward, he accidentally grabbed Xia Zhi, who was standing behind her. Their eyes met, and both froze in surprise.
Xia Zhi stared at Second Young Master Yuan’s face, smeared with white powder, and felt a sudden, inexplicable panic. He awkwardly greeted him, “Second Young Master, busy as ever, I see.”
Second Young Master Yuan shoved Xia Zhi aside, disdainfully brushing off his sleeves. His face was dark with displeasure. “What are you doing here?”
“Uh…” Xia Zhi stammered, unsure how to answer.
Xu Sanyan stepped forward. “Brother Xia is with me. Is there a problem?”
“And who are you?” Second Young Master Yuan scrutinized Xu Sanyan’s face, but couldn’t place him.
Xu Sanyan had subtly altered his appearance before entering the city. His recent fame made it likely he’d be recognized by those with ulterior motives, so he’d disguised himself.
Sensing the tense atmosphere, Yue’er quickly intervened. “Oh dear, both of you are esteemed guests. Please don’t quarrel over such a trivial matter. It’s my fault for not attending to you properly. Would you please overlook this for my sake?”
“Hmph, the Phoenix Cry Pavilion is becoming more and more pathetic. Anyone can just waltz in here now,” Second Young Master Yuan sneered, rolling his eyes before turning back to his revelry.
Xu Sanyan remained motionless, pondering whether he could use Second Young Master Yuan to gather information about the Dragon Vein’s location.
Currently, Xu Sanyan knew nothing about the Dragon Vein. He didn’t even know what form it took:
Was it a mineral vein?
A treasure?
Or perhaps some kind of gaseous entity?
If he could pinpoint the Dragon Vein’s location, things would become much simpler.
A thought struck Xu Sanyan. In an instant, a Demonic Seed materialized from the void and imprinted itself on the crown of Second Young Master Yuan’s head. The young master froze momentarily before returning to normal.
Second Young Master Yuan, merely at Foundation Establishment Perfection, had no resistance whatsoever to the Demonic Seed.
Yue’er bowed gracefully. “Young master, please come this way.”
As she bent over, her strikingly full breasts nearly escaped their restraints, instantly capturing Xu Sanyan’s attention. He couldn’t help but remark, “My dear, you have a truly generous bosom.”
“Young master, you flatter me,” Yue’er replied with a light, unrestrained giggle, covering her mouth with a hand.
“I merely speak the truth,” Xu Sanyan said, his gaze sweeping casually around the flower boat.
Xia Zhi, however, felt deeply out of place. He felt like a mud loach that had mistakenly entered a clear river, his filth now glaringly obvious. This place was never meant for someone like him; even if he had stumbled in by chance, he didn’t belong here.
He felt even more constrained than he had on the smaller flower boat, his heart heavy with unease.
Noticing Xia Zhi’s discomfort, Xu Sanyan said, “Yue’er, why don’t you settle Brother Xia in first? I’ll wander around on my own.”
“As you wish, young master. Please don’t hesitate to call if you need anything. I’ll take my leave now.”
Xu Sanyan nodded and strolled around the flower boat, eventually finding a quiet spot to wait patiently.
The flower boat had only just begun welcoming guests, and the peak of activity hadn’t yet arrived. There weren’t many patrons yet, especially at a high-end establishment like the Phoenix Cry Pavilion, which tended to attract fewer clients. In contrast, the surrounding, slightly less prestigious flower boats were bustling with activity.
Tap… tap…
Slightly hurried footsteps approached from behind. Second Young Master Yuan immediately kowtowed in greeting. “Greetings, Young Master.”
Xu Sanyan didn’t turn around, his gaze fixed on the brightly lit and bustling shore through the window.
He remained silent, and Second Young Master Yuan dared not rise. After a long moment, Xu Sanyan finally spoke. “Get up.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Do you know what a Dragon Vein is?” Xu Sanyan asked directly. Second Young Master Yuan held a high position and had spent years in the Capital City; he might have heard something.
“Um… this subordinate is unaware,” Second Young Master Yuan replied, living up to his reputation as a complete fool.
Xu Sanyan had long seen through him. The man’s vital energy was depleted, his cultivation level was low, and he was utterly useless. But Xu Sanyan didn’t need him for anything; he was merely using him as a stepping stone.
“You have an elder brother?” Xu Sanyan asked, turning his head.
“Yes, sir. My elder brother is Yuan Shuting. He has been cultivated by our father and currently serves as the Deputy Commander of the Jade Dragon Guard, responsible for guarding the Imperial Palace.”
“Are the Jade Dragon Guard the Emperor’s personal guard?”
“Yes, they number three thousand and are stationed permanently in the palace. They enjoy the Emperor’s utmost trust.”
Xu Sanyan nodded slowly. “Find a way to get your elder brother out here.”
Second Young Master Yuan looked troubled. “That… might be difficult. The Jade Dragon Guard’s security is extremely tight. Even I, as his subordinate, rarely get to see him.”
“That’s your problem. Three days from now, meet me here. I want to see him.”
“I’ll do my best, sir.”
“Hmm, go now.” Xu Sanyan waved his hand.
“Yes, sir.”
Second Young Master Yuan was about to withdraw when Xu Sanyan added, “Remember to settle my bill later.”
“…Yes, sir.”
These women were earning their living through hard work. He couldn’t bring himself to take a free ride.
Xu Sanyan gazed at the shore, suddenly feeling a strange sense of recognition. His eyes flicked across the crowd and landed on a familiar figure.
On the shore, Tang Huanhuan’s gaze pierced through the shimmering lake surface, settling on Xu Sanyan. Her brow furrowed slightly, a faint sense of familiarity tugging at her memory, yet she couldn’t quite place where she had seen him before.
(End of the Chapter)