Chapter 1486: Falling into the Trap

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Chapter 1484: Falling into the Trap

“Should we go take a look?” Bai Zixi whispered to Mo Hua.

Since childhood, she had been protected by her family and elders, almost never experiencing this kind of adventure.

So, looking at that dark, gaping hole of the Jade bed mechanism, she couldn’t help but feel a bit curious.

Mo Hua thought for a moment, then nodded gently. “Let’s go take a look.”

Uncle Gù and the others had all gone down. If he didn’t go see for himself, he wouldn’t be able to rest easy.

From the moment they met, Uncle Gù had been the workhorse and scapegoat of the Dao Court Division, handling all the dirty and difficult tasks.

Now, it went without saying. In these perilous times, he had been dispatched from the Qianxue Prefecture realm to Houtu City in Kun Province, opposing the Earth Sect and various major families. It was practically equivalent to exile.

It would be a miracle if anything good came of it.

Moreover, that somewhat suspicious Liǔ Sān was also likely down there.

Mo Hua led Bai Zixi as they jumped down from the roof beam. He slightly released his Divine-Sense to probe the opening of the Jade bed. Sensing no dangerous aura, he said: “Senior Sister, follow me.”

Bai Zixi nodded, then shook her head. “No, I’m the senior sister. You follow me.”

Her Little Junior Brother had never practiced Body Refinement. Since childhood, his body had been weak and couldn’t withstand bumps or knocks. If they encountered an ambush and he got injured, it would be troublesome.

Mo Hua was about to say something more when he saw the stubborn, icy expression on his Little Senior Sister’s face. He could only sigh softly. “Alright, you’re the senior sister. I’ll listen to you.”

Only then did Bai Zixi nod in satisfaction.

Afterwards, Bai Zixi activated her movement technique and jumped into the mechanism’s pit first. Mo Hua followed closely behind, also jumping down.

Fortunately, the tunnel was relatively safe. In the darkness, they didn’t fall for long before landing lightly.

Mo Hua narrowed his eyes, looking around, his expression slightly surprised.

The scene below partly matched his conjectures, yet was also clearly different.

Mo Hua had originally thought that the Jade bed mechanism in Miao’er’s boudoir should lead to a secret passageway to some hidden place. And this hidden place was most likely that non-existent “Jade Spring Pavilion.”

But the sight before him was clearly not right.

Inside the secret passage, dozens of prison cells had been built, with bars made of refined iron and doors sealed with Formations.

Looking through the bars, each cell had a luxurious large bed in the center.

On the large beds were shackles for binding people and a pile of messy, strange items of unknown purpose.

If Mo Hua’s guess was correct, this should be a small, private Hehuan Prison.

The Demonic Cultivators of the Joyous-Union Sect would capture men with dual cultivation harvesting value, imprison them in this pink prison, chain them up, and use them as cauldrons for daily dual cultivation harvesting until their yang energy was exhausted and they were harvested to death.

The air was still permeated with the fragrance of rouge, the pleasure and terror of male and female cauldrons, the pain and despair of death—dirty, chaotic, and filthy.

Mo Hua was about to reach out and cover his Little Senior Sister’s eyes to prevent her from seeing the filth. But with a sweep of his Divine-Sense, he found the prison cells empty. No one was imprisoned nearby, and no one was currently being harvested.

Only then did he slightly relax.

The entire Hehuan Prison seemed to have been vacant for some time. It was unclear whether all the ‘Lust Slaves‘ used for harvesting had died or if there were other reasons.

Mo Hua’s mind stirred slightly, sensing Uncle Gù’s aura in the distance. He looked up and noticed that the prison’s bottom was also constructed with steel beams. Pointing upward, he whispered: “Senior Sister, let’s go up.”

Bai Zixi nodded.

Then, the two concealed themselves, activating their movement techniques to silently ascend the beams.

Both senior sister and junior brother were masters of formations, knowing exactly where the formations on the beams were placed, allowing them to avoid them effortlessly.

After walking along the beams for a moment, their view suddenly opened up.

Mo Hua and Bai Zixi peered down together and saw that beneath the beams lay the largest cell in the entire prison.

However, it resembled less a cell and more a lavishly decorated hall, meant for display.

At this moment, the hall also contained an extravagant bed, draped with pink gauze and red curtains, its bedding woven with phoenix feathers, opulent yet exuding an air of decadence.

Throughout the entire Hehuan Prison, only this bed was not empty.

On the bed lay a man, bound with heavy chains, his face sallow and emaciated, his body gaunt, with little yang energy remaining.

Due to severe depletion, his features were barely recognizable, but from the contours of his face, one could roughly discern that this was Liǔ Sān from Mo Hua’s wanted poster.

At this very moment, led by Miao’er, Gu Changhuai had reached the depths of the Hehuan Prison and encountered Liǔ Sān, whose vitality was weak and appearance barely human.

Gu Changhuai said, “The key.”

The restrained Miao’er dared not defy, replying weakly, “It’s already… in your hand.”

The white jade key that opened the jade bed’s mechanism and the Hehuan heavy locks was the same. Miao’er had kept it close to her body, but it had already been confiscated by Gu Changhuai.

Gu Changhuai glanced at Gu An.

Gu An nodded, retrieved the white jade key, searched around Liǔ Sān for a moment, found the lock, inserted the key, and turned it three times.

As the formation’s light flashed, the mechanism began to turn. Before long, the heavy iron chains on Liǔ Sān’s body opened one by one.

Gu Changhuai approached Liǔ Sān, checked his breathing, tested his pulse, and finally looked into his eyes.

Though Liǔ Sān’s vitality was depleted, his pulse still faintly existed.

However, his eyes were vacant, as if still immersed in some bone-deep pleasure, drool trickling from the corner of his mouth.

Gu Changhuai frowned and asked Miao’er, “What’s wrong with him?”

Miao’er said resentfully, “How would this humble woman know?”

Gu Changhuai’s gaze sharpened like a sword.

Startled, Miao’er finally explained: “Perhaps… he indulged excessively in pleasure, causing his Sea of Consciousness to distort, trapping him in an intoxicating dream from which he cannot awaken.”

Gu Changhuai said coldly, “Who told you to… harvest him like this through dual cultivation?”

Hearing this, Miao’er instead met Gu Changhuai’s gaze directly, smiling faintly as she replied: “He came seeking me, wanting to experience intoxicating pleasures on this humble woman’s body, yet lacked the willpower to resist, becoming lost in it and damaging his own Dao Heart. Who can he blame?”

“He is a man, and I am a courtesan. If he desired it, and I refused, wouldn’t that be lacking in charm?”

“But when I gave it, he knew no restraint, demanding endlessly until his body and mind collapsed. Can he blame me for harming him?”

Miao’er sneered, “You foul men only know how to bully women. When trouble arises, you shift the blame onto women, as if you yourselves are so pure.”

Gu Changhuai’s gaze remained indifferent, unmoved.

The words of women in this world are mostly not to be trusted, let alone those of a female demon from the Joyous-Union Sect. The female demons of the Joyous-Union Sect wear the guise of lust, but at their core, they are man-eating yakshas. Because their appearance is enchanting and alluring, they are even more dangerous, not to be taken lightly in the slightest.

Moreover, this was happening within the Jade Fragrance Pavilion. Gu Changhuai’s gaze darkened slightly. According to the intelligence he had gathered, the Jade Fragrance Pavilion was one of the major strongholds of the Joyous-Union Sect in Kun Province. This place was dangerous, and it was not wise to linger.

Nor was there any need to waste time engaging in idle talk with this seductress who had likely ‘devoured’ countless men.

After a brief moment of thought, Gu Changhuai immediately said, “Take both of them away and leave as soon as possible.”

This was not the place for questioning. It would be better to bring these two back to his own territory and interrogate them slowly.

Gu An stepped forward and bound the emaciated Liǔ Sān with a soft rope. This served two purposes: first, to control him and prevent any potential danger, and second, to protect him in case he suddenly acted recklessly and sought his own death.

Meanwhile, Gu Quan and Archive Officer Piao escorted Miao’er as they moved toward the exit.

Gu Changhuai, with the highest cultivation level, led the way at the front.

However, just as Gu Changhuai turned around and had taken only a few steps, his expression suddenly changed. He immediately pointed with two fingers, condensing a wind blade that shot toward Archive Officer Piao behind him.

At that moment, Archive Officer Piao was secretly drawing a short sword, aiming to stab Gu Quan.

Exposed by Gu Changhuai, he had no choice but to change his stance and unleash the Dao Art Golden Stone Hand. His right hand transformed into a large palm as hard as metal and stone, grabbing at Gu Changhuai’s wind blade.

His Golden Stone Hand was an extraordinary legacy, practiced to a high degree of proficiency, and its power was formidable. It forcefully seized Gu Changhuai’s wind blade and crushed it to pieces.

However, Gu Changhuai’s wind blade was a hereditary Dao Art of the Gu Clan. Even a casual strike from it was not weak. Moreover, Gu Changhuai’s cultivation was deeper than Archive Officer Piao’s. Although Archive Officer Piao managed to crush Gu Changhuai’s wind blade with his ultimate technique, his palm still throbbed with pain, and fine cracks even appeared on his Golden Stone Hand.

“As expected… truly worthy of being a figure dispatched by the Dao Court… truly troublesome.” Despite shattering Gu Changhuai’s strike, a flicker of apprehension still passed through Archive Officer Piao’s heart.

On the other side, Gu Quan sensed the abnormality and swiftly drew his blade, slashing toward Archive Officer Piao.

Archive Officer Piao’s eyes flashed as he once again manifested the Golden Stone Hand, effortlessly deflecting Gu Quan’s attack.

Then, with a reverse grab, he pulled Miao’er into his arms and quickly retreated, putting distance between himself and Gu Changhuai’s group.

Miao’er, held in Archive Officer Piao’s embrace, shot him a look that seemed both reproachful and resentful.

Archive Officer Piao’s fingers held a key, which he traced along Miao’er’s waist. As a former Archive Officer of the Dao Court Division, he was naturally all too familiar with the locks used by the division.

In the blink of an eye, the chains binding Miao’er were all unlocked and fell to the ground.

The female demon they had worked so hard to capture was thus freed by him once again.

This series of changes, though seemingly complex, had taken only a few breaths.

Gu Changhuai glanced at Miao’er before turning his gaze to Archive Officer Piao and asking coldly: “What is the meaning of this?”

Archive Officer Piao sighed. “Magistrate Gu, please forgive me. You are a person dispatched from above, with a bright future ahead. I am merely a local Archive Officer who still needs to make a living. I dare not stake everything on a single gamble.”

Gu Changhuai’s gaze sharpened. “So, you pretended to side with me but secretly colluded with the Joyous-Union Sect, using Liǔ Sān as bait to lure me here?”

Archive Officer Piao sighed, “It’s not a deception… I didn’t deceive you. Liǔ Sān is indeed here at Jade Fragrance Pavilion. Now you’ve achieved your wish and found this Liǔ Sān.”

“My original intention wasn’t to deceive you, but to ‘invite.’ Only by this method could I invite you, Magistrate Gu, to this Jade Fragrance Pavilion.”

“Invite?” Gu Changhuai sneered. “What good does inviting me here do?”

Archive Officer Piao said solemnly, “Naturally… there is something good.”

“What good?” Gu Changhuai asked.

Archive Officer Piao smiled. “What else could be good at Jade Fragrance Pavilion? Naturally, it’s the delightful pleasures between men and women.”

Gu Changhuai’s gaze gradually turned cold.

Archive Officer Piao sighed. “Magistrate Gu, don’t think of me as so wicked. I truly am not.”

“I’m also thinking of you, seeking benefits for you.”

“As long as you choose a charming girl at Jade Fragrance Pavilion, stay overnight for a night of passion, and act as if nothing happened the next morning.”

“You may leave on your own, and you can also take Liǔ Sān with you.”

“No one will harm you, there will be no obstruction, and no danger whatsoever.”

“You don’t need to pay any price, not even Spirit stones. As long as you sleep with a girl here, it will be good for you, good for me, and everything will be fine.”

Archive Officer Piao spoke with genuine sincerity, as if truly concerned for Gu Changhuai.

Gu Changhuai pondered for a moment, his eyes flashing, and said calmly: “From top to bottom… has everyone in the Dao Court Division of your Houtu City slept at this Jade Fragrance Pavilion?”

“How could that be…” Archive Officer Piao sighed and shook his head. “What kind of place is Jade Fragrance Pavilion? The girls here are all stunning beauties. How many Spirit stones would it cost to enjoy a romantic night here? How could just any random person enjoy such pleasures?”

“Only important figures like you, Magistrate Gu, can receive such preferential treatment.”

Seeing Gu Changhuai remain silent, Archive Officer Piao added with a light smile: “There’s still plenty of time tonight. Later, Magistrate Gu can visit the Spring, Flower, Snow, and Moon towers one by one. Whichever girl catches your eye, just nod, and she will accompany you tonight, ensuring she does her utmost to serve you to your satisfaction.”

“If you feel these courtesans aren’t pure, that’s no problem either. Jade Fragrance Pavilion also keeps many talented and beautiful virgins.”

“These virgins are pure and untouched, selling their talents but not their bodies. But if you take a liking to one, after tonight’s pleasures, she will become your exclusive courtesan, serving only you for the rest of her life, waiting here in the pavilion for your favor.”

For most men, this would be an irresistible temptation, and few would remain unmoved.

Yet Gu Changhuai remained silent, saying nothing.

Just then, Miao’er beside Archive Officer Piao, her eyes sparkling and her demeanor alluring, said: “Of course, if Magistrate Gu isn’t interested in these ordinary women, Miao’er… can also use all her skills to accompany Magistrate Gu for a romantic night.”

“As long as Magistrate Gu doesn’t disdain this humble woman’s plain appearance, whatever games you wish to play, I can accompany you, as long as Magistrate Gu can find complete satisfaction.”

Miao’er gazed at the coldly handsome Gu Changhuai, her eyes filled with affection.

A flash of jealousy passed through Archive Officer Piao’s eyes, but he said nothing.

Gu Changhuai remained silent for a moment, then said coldly, “What if I’m unwilling?”

The smile on Miao’er’s face deepened.

In contrast, Archive Officer Piao’s expression gradually cooled as he sighed: “Magistrate Gu, this matter is not up to you… Tonight’s romantic affair at Jade Fragrance Pavilion, you will partake in it whether you wish to or not.”

Gu Changhuai said calmly, “Oh? Do you think you can stop me?”

Archive Officer Piao showed a hint of apprehension. Although they had not worked together for long, he was well aware of Gu Changhuai’s formidable strength.

But tonight’s scheme was actually unrelated to him; he was merely the guide. The one truly hosting Gu Changhuai was someone else.

Archive Officer Piao smiled, “Magistrate Gu, you don’t really think I would lead you into this trap with only these preparations, do you?”

Miao’er looked at the tall and upright figure of Gu Changhuai, her voice seductive as she said: “Magistrate Gu, tonight at Jade Fragrance Pavilion, if you don’t involve yourself in some cause and effect between men and women, you won’t be able to leave.”

Upon hearing this, Gu Changhuai’s pupils contracted slightly.

Almost simultaneously, a strong scent of rouge and powder suddenly swirled around.

In the surrounding darkness, the large beds in the gloomy prison cells slowly began to split open from the middle.

One figure after another emerged from the hidden passages beneath the beds.

These cultivators exuded powerful auras, both male and female. The women were enchanting and carried an air of worldly experience, while the men had faces as pale as powder, heavy with Yin Qi.

They wore flamboyant, gender-ambiguous robes, their auras indistinguishable between yin and yang.

At a glance, it was clear they were all demonic figures from the Joyous-Union Sect.

Leading them was a gloomy-faced man with powdered features, dressed in extravagant women’s clothing and wearing a woman’s hairstyle, his gaze venomous.

His cultivation was at the Peak Golden Core, seemingly just a step away from the Feathered Ascension Realm.

The Spiritual Power around him surged, already faintly carrying the momentum of Feathered Ascension soaring to the heavens.