Chapter 1509: Yu Nujiao
https://c10.patreonusercontent.com/4/patreon-media/p/post/153586979/1e3f247906024648b3cb62e574ffbd6c/eyJ3Ijo2MjB9/1.png?token-hash=ilA2S84auXdIvwZBjhoHr3a2YyRfTtO5vLcojwmtb4w%3D&token-time=1787356800
Chapter 1507: Yu Nujiao
Seated solemnly in the center of the grand hall, the Eldest Young Master of the Earth Sect, who was receiving toasts from the crowd, suddenly emitted a low, deep dragon’s roar inaudible to ordinary people.
The Eldest Young Master’s expression changed abruptly, and he sharply turned his gaze toward Mo Hua.
At that moment, the black and white hues of the Derivative-Deceptive Algorithm had already faded from Mo Hua’s eyes. His eyes were slightly closed as he once again picked up his teacup, taking a sip of the tea within.
The Eldest Young Master’s gaze was as piercing as a dragon’s, bearing down on Mo Hua.
Mo Hua’s demeanor remained as calm and unruffled as autumn waters, open and composed, as if nothing had happened. He even lifted his eyes to calmly meet the Eldest Young Master’s gaze.
The Eldest Young Master frowned slightly, feeling somewhat uncertain in his heart.
Just then, someone called out softly, “Eldest Young Master…”
Turning his head, the Eldest Young Master saw several scions from prominent families, intimidated by his imposing presence, nervously asking, “Is there… something that displeases you?”
The Eldest Young Master remained silent for a moment before replying, “It’s nothing.” He then restrained his aura, resuming his dignified posture at the center, accepting the flattery of the crowd.
The atmosphere in the grand hall returned to normal.
Everyone secretly breathed a sigh of relief, fearing that some inexplicable incident might have truly upset the Eldest Young Master, bringing misfortune upon them. The Eldest Young Master’s authority was profound, his moods unpredictable and volatile. Being in his presence was like accompanying a tiger, one had to be extremely cautious, never daring the slightest negligence.
In contrast, the four young masters from the Lu, Wu, Zhu, and Jin families cast fleeting, almost imperceptible glances at Mo Hua before discreetly withdrawing their gazes.
Bai XiaoSheng also stared at Mo Hua with astonishment.
Being closest to Mo Hua, he had sensed a trace of an extremely profound and mysterious fluctuation when Mo Hua activated the Derivative-Deceptive Algorithm’s power to peer into the Eldest Young Master’s cause and effect. It lasted only an instant, and he hadn’t discerned anything specific before Mo Hua’s eyes closed once more.
Yet, Bai XiaoSheng’s heart was roiling with shock:
“What in the world is this kid… What did he just do?”
“He couldn’t possibly… know the Heavenly Secret Algorithm too, could he?!”
“That kind of thing… can anyone still learn it nowadays? He couldn’t be—”
Bai XiaoSheng sat there dumbfounded, still holding the wine jug in his hand.
Sensing something amiss, Mo Hua turned to look at Bai XiaoSheng.
Bai XiaoSheng silently raised the wine jug to his mouth, tilting his head back and slightly closing his eyes to conceal his inner astonishment, preventing Mo Hua from noticing anything.
Mo Hua didn’t pay it much mind either. He turned his head back and continued drinking his tea.
Bai XiaoSheng gulped down a mouthful of wine, using the alcohol’s effect to suppress his turbulent emotions, inwardly cursing:
Damn, tangled up in major cause and effect. I knew it—where did the Little Grandaunt get a Little Junior Brother from… How could anyone recognized as the Little Grandaunt’s Little Junior Brother be normal…
So that’s how it is.
However, he only dared to mutter these thoughts in his mind, immediately stopping himself to prevent the unfathomable Mo Hua from detecting them.
Meanwhile, Mo Hua was also pondering his own matters and didn’t pay much attention to Bai XiaoSheng’s thoughts, as his own heart was also greatly unsettled.
“The Young Masters’ Pavilion…”
The Eldest Young Master of the Earth Sect was entangled with blackish-purple, decaying, deeply lustful cause and effect, resembling that of poppy flowers. This kind of cause and effect was invisible to ordinary mortal eyes but could not escape Mo Hua’s divine gaze.
This noble Eldest Young Master of the Earth Sect was most likely a member of the “Young Masters’ Pavilion.”
Did the Eldest Young Master of the Earth Sect also go to the Qianxue Prefecture realm to study back in the day? Or did he connect with the Young Masters’ Pavilion through other channels?
Given his status and the extent of his corruption by cause and effect, his position within the Young Masters’ Pavilion should be quite high…
Mo Hua’s gaze sharpened, his heart sinking slightly. Matters in Kun Province were growing increasingly complex; the deeper he delved, the more entangled threads of cause and effect revealed themselves…
…
As Mo Hua was lost in thought, the grand hall suddenly fell silent.
Everyone held their breath, no longer speaking loudly. Even the Eldest Young Master of the Earth Sect and the direct descendants of the major families grew noticeably more solemn.
Mo Hua’s heart stirred as he looked around.
On the ground, crimson peonies bloomed one after another, spreading across the entire hall. At the same time, petals rained down from above like a gentle shower. An intoxicating, delicate fragrance filled the air.
A captivating voice echoed, and above them, red flowers blossomed, forming a dazzling floral path from the upper floors of the hall, like a brilliant carpet of blossoms.
A graceful figure, radiant as snow and dressed in a begonia-red robe, descended slowly along the floral carpet. Amidst the blooming flowers, she appeared like a flower fairy descending to the mortal realm, or a magnificent peony outshining all others.
The woman wore delicate makeup, her features breathtakingly beautiful, with an elegance that seemed both icy and detached from worldly affairs. Her attire was modest and dignified, yet it accentuated her graceful figure. The bright red robe highlighted her wrists, fair as the moon, her neck and collarbones like white jade, and her face as pure as ice and snow.
She inspired both reverence and an irresistible temptation to profane.
The young masters present, witnessing this aloof yet paradoxically alluring beauty, felt their hearts stir. Decadent desires began to permeate the hall. Many could not help but feel their throats go dry, swallowing nervously.
Even Mo Hua felt his mind momentarily swayed by her beauty, a flicker of confusion passing through him.
But it lasted only an instant before his thoughts cleared, his gaze sharpening as he looked up to carefully examine this top courtesan.
Mo Hua had seen this courtesan’s likeness before in Bai XiaoSheng’s Beauty Ranking List. However, a portrait, no matter how lifelike, could never capture the essence of the real person.
Now, seeing this stunning beauty in person, Mo Hua felt a faint sense of realization.
Though her makeup and features had changed slightly, appearing even fairer and more radiant than before, the aura of cause and effect remained unmistakable, it was none other than…
“…Yu Lian’er.”
Mo Hua’s gaze remained calm, confirming his suspicions.
The Jade Fragrance Pavilion’s courtesan, Yu Nujiao, was indeed Yu Lian’er—the very same Joyous-Union Sect’s Saintess he had encountered during the Great Wilderness Dragon Pool battle.
No wonder the courtesan of Houtu City could drive so many men to obsession and madness, she was the Joyous-Union Sect’s Saintess.
As Yu Nujiao descended barefoot upon the flowers, her aloof gaze swept over Mo Hua but did not linger for even a moment.
To her, Mo Hua seemed no different from any other ordinary young master, unworthy of a second glance from her lofty position as the courtesan.
Not just Mo Hua, all the noble young masters from the great families were treated with the same indifference, none receiving more than a passing glance from Yu Nujiao.
After all, in terms of stance, righteousness and demonic paths are irreconcilable. In terms of true identity, she is the Holy Maiden of the Joyous-Union Sect, not inferior to any young master present. And when it comes to matters of desire, all men could only submit before her, the Joyous-Union Holy Maiden.
This pure, aloof, and unattainable beauty also stirred the hearts of the gathered young masters from noble families, making them itch with impatience, eager to conquer her as soon as possible and indulge in the ecstasy of such a captivating beauty.
Especially the Eldest Young Master of the Earth Sect.
On the surface, it might not be apparent—his expression remained dignified. But Mo Hua could sense that when Yu Nujiao appeared, the desires within this Eldest Young Master surged like an evil dragon churning rivers and seas. On his body, black-purple poppy flowers began to writhe like rotting flesh, emanating an aura of lustful power…
Mo Hua frowned slightly.
…
And the next moment, a graceful song began to play. When Mo Hua turned to look again, Yu Nujiao, as the courtesan, had already begun swaying her waist, dancing within the grand hall.
This was also the highlight of the courtesan banquet.
Yu Nujiao was the courtesan cherished like the moon among stars and the Joyous-Union Holy Maiden, so her dancing was naturally exceptionally outstanding.
Her jade-white feet stepped upon the crimson floral carpet, each movement seeming to tread upon the hearts of all present.
Her attire was luxurious, her demeanor dignified, and her figure soft and alluring, yet she carried an air of solemnity that seemed untouchable. This contrast made her even more irresistible.
Coupled with her innate seductive charm and the Seduction Arts cultivated since childhood through the Hehuan Cultivation Method, the two blended seamlessly, making her a peerless beauty in the world.
The men present were momentarily filled with greedy lust, biting their teeth to suppress the flames of desire, lest they reveal unsightly behavior.
The Eldest Young Master of the Earth Sect, gazing at Yu Nujiao’s radiant figure, felt the evil desires within him churning violently, even staining his eyes with a layer of black-purple evil fire.
Beneath the dazzling facade of spring blossoms, snow, and moonlight in the grand hall of the Spring Pavilion, human desires festered like a source of decay, filling every corner and tainting every heart.
Mo Hua turned to look at Bai XiaoSheng and found him also gazing at Yu Nujiao with infatuation.
Mo Hua was about to slap him to snap him out of it, but upon closer inspection, he saw clarity in Bai XiaoSheng’s eyes. There was only appreciation in his gaze, not a trace of desire, as if he were purely admiring her beauty and exquisite dance skills, without any greedy intent.
Mo Hua’s eyes revealed a hint of surprise.
After what felt like a long time, yet perhaps not so long, the song ended, and the scattered flowers fell. Yu Nujiao’s dance as the courtesan had concluded.
The crowd seemed still immersed in that captivating visual feast, unable to break free for a long time, wishing Yu Nujiao would continue dancing forever, lost in this illusory beauty, submitting to desire, never to awaken.
But Yu Nujiao danced no more.
Her figure was slender and upright, her complexion fair, standing as dignified as a snow-covered plum blossom. With a noble and slightly aloof expression, she glanced at the crowd, then her form suddenly transformed into a shower of flower petals and vanished.
The sudden disappearance of such a peerless beauty left everyone inexplicably pained, as if a piece of their hearts had been cut away. Their desires unsatisfied, they frowned one after another, feeling discontent.
At that very moment, another beautiful woman slowly stepped onto the stage, it was Miao Niángzǐ.
The second young master of the Zhū Clan, dressed in crimson robes embroidered with qilin, asked in a low voice, “Where is Miss Yu? Why did she only perform one dance today?”
Miao Niángzǐ curtsied and then spoke apologetically: “Please forgive us, young masters. Miss Yu is feeling unwell today and could only manage one dance. We sincerely apologize.”
Upon hearing this, the gathered young masters all showed displeasure. Even the Eldest Young Master of the Earth Sect looked on with a gloomy, imposing gaze. These direct-line young masters were all of high status and valued their time greatly. Since they had gathered for a courtesan banquet, how could it be that after just one dance, the performer would vanish without a trace?
Fearing she might provoke their collective anger, Miao Niángzǐ quickly added, “However, Miss Yu said—”
With a gentle smile and a soft, graceful voice, she continued: “Though she is slightly unwell and cannot dance for the young masters, she is willing to select one among you to enter her chambers for a discussion on music and philosophy…”
As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of the crowd changed dramatically, and a wave of murmurs swept through the room.
For so long, these scions of noble families had been waiting for just such an opportunity.
Yet this Miss Yu Nujiao was like a delicate blossom on a high branch—alluring and captivating, but only to be admired, not touched, leaving them itching with desire. The rules of the Jade Fragrance Pavilion held them back, and they could not afford to breach etiquette.
But now, it seemed this rule was finally about to be broken. Though it was only for music and discussion, one step would lead to another. Today, it could be music; tomorrow, it could be a private dance. Eventually, the day would come when this unattainable beauty would be brought down from her pedestal, allowing them to do as they pleased.
The direct-line young master of the Jìn Clan immediately asked, “How will she choose?”
Miao Niángzǐ replied, “It depends on fate.”
The second young master of the Zhū Clan frowned, “What kind of fate?”
Miao Niángzǐ explained, “Each young master may present a token of affection, which I will deliver to Miss Yu. She will personally select the one that catches her fancy. The one she chooses will be the fated person, granted an audience in her chambers.”
Upon hearing this, the second young master of the Zhū Clan’s eyes narrowed slightly, his mind racing, before he nodded and said, “That seems fair enough.”
Seeing this, the others also exchanged meaningful glances, each harboring their own thoughts, but none voiced any objection.
This was indeed the most ‘fair’ method possible.
A graceful beauty is what a gentleman seeks.
In terms of power and influence, the most outstanding among them were naturally the Eldest Young Master of the Earth Sect and the direct-line young masters of the four great clans.
However, in matters of romance and pleasure, power alone does not decide everything. Since this was a pursuit of affection, it naturally depended on mutual attraction and Miss Yu’s own preference.
Winning a woman’s favor was also a skill.
Under the current arrangement, as long as the token of affection pleased Miss Yu and earned her smile, anyone could become the chosen guest.
These young masters were not lacking in women, but what they lacked was the affection of an unattainable beauty like the top courtesan, as well as the immense vanity that came with ‘possessing the top courtesan exclusively.’
The phrase ‘possessing the top courtesan exclusively’ was the dream of nearly every young master in all of Houtu City, something worth boasting about for a lifetime. Now that the opportunity had arisen, they would not hold back.
…
Miao Niángzǐ gently clapped her hands, and two rows of lovely maids, each holding golden and jade mandarin duck trays, approached each seat. Those who were interested in winning the courtesan’s favor could place a token of affection on the tray. The rest would be left to fate.
No one could refuse such an offer.
Even if their competitors included the Eldest Young Master of the Earth Sect and the direct-line young masters of the four great clans of Kun Province, they would not back down.
Under normal circumstances, their minds might be clear, knowing they should not let beauty distract them from important matters. But at this very moment, having witnessed the top courtesan with their own eyes, seen her breathtaking beauty and celestial dance, only one thought remained in their minds:
“To die beneath the peony, even as a ghost, is a romantic fate.”
To be able to play the qin and discuss philosophy with the top courtesan, to be close to her—they felt that even if they died now, their lives would have been worth it.
Thus, one by one, the young masters of aristocratic clans placed the most precious items they could offer into the Mandarin Duck Tray.
There was Lunar Essence Spirit Jade, Azure-Snow Flower Hairpins, Emerald Jade Satin, Star-Stone Beaded Hairpins—each vying in splendor, a dazzling display of brilliance.
The actions of the direct-line young masters of the Four Great Clans were even more extraordinary.
The second young master of the Zhū Clan presented a Red Silkworm Cloud-Silk Fan.
The direct-line young master of the Jìn Clan offered a Moonlight Glazed Mirror.
The direct-line young master of the Lu Clan presented an Ice-Jade Cicada-Silk Robe.
The direct-line young master of the Wú Clan offered a box of Heavenly Scented Jade-Flower Rouge.
On the surface, the young gentlemen maintained their refined demeanor, not showing off, but secretly they competed fiercely, each presenting a tribute more exquisite and luxurious than the last. Those whose offerings were inferior or unworthy of the occasion were easily outshone in comparison. Young masters who knew their gifts fell short could not help but feel defeated, their expressions crestfallen, their eyes betraying self-doubt and shame.
But the one who outshone them all was the Eldest Young Master of the Earth Sect.
Without uttering a word, he silently took out a piece of jade and tossed it into the Mandarin Duck Tray, causing all the young masters in the hall to gasp in shock.
For this piece of jade was externally radiant with five colors, crystal clear and translucent, while inside, condensed threads of Laws slowly drifted…
This was… an Innate Spirit Crystal!
And not just any—it was a Heavenly Crystal imbued with the Laws of the Five Elements!
All the young masters inwardly drew a sharp breath.
The Eldest Young Master of the Earth Sect was truly sparing no expense for Yu Nujiao, even going so far as to present such a rare Heavenly Crystal just to win a smile from the beauty.
The direct-line young masters of the Four Great Clans also wore grim expressions.
Mo Hua stared at the Heavenly Crystal, momentarily stunned and lost in thought.
By now, nearly all the young masters had presented their tributes. The only one who had yet to act was Mo Hua.
Though no one spoke, everyone’s gaze subtly turned toward this Young Master Mo.
Even Miao Niángzǐ, on the stage, watched Mo Hua with curiosity, wondering what he would offer.
Bai XiaoSheng, acting as Mo Hua’s “attendant,” also muttered to himself: This Mo Hua didn’t seem particularly wealthy, but since he was attending the courtesan banquet, he must have some treasure on hand. He’d better not embarrass himself too much.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Mo Hua had no choice but to act. After a moment’s thought, he casually pulled a blue, glowing stone from his pocket and tossed it into the Mandarin Duck Tray.
Another piece of jade? Everyone was initially startled, but upon taking a closer look at the stone, their expressions changed dramatically.
For this blue, glowing stone was actually a…
Low-grade Spirit stone!
This Young Master Mo had offered a Spirit stone as a tribute to the top courtesan!
Not to mention others, even Bai XiaoSheng, who was familiar with Mo Hua, gasped in disbelief, unable to believe his eyes.
Was this kid… too arrogant?
This was the courtesan banquet, where the most elite young masters of the Kun Province Aristocratic Clans were competing with rare treasures, and he offered a Low-grade Spirit stone? Who did he think he was looking down on?
Where did he learn to be so audacious?