Chapter 1511: The Courtesan's Pavilion

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Chapter 1509: The Courtesan’s Pavilion

The atmosphere in the grand hall of the courtesan banquet had chilled to its absolute limit. The intense affection from moments ago had instantly transformed into even fiercer jealousy and hatred, brewing into murderous intent. All the aristocratic young masters attending the banquet were like ferocious, starving wolves, their eyes fixed unwaveringly on Mo Hua.

The courtesan banquet was their hunting ground—these young masters of Kun Province’s aristocratic clans. The peerlessly beautiful courtesan was their prey. It was a game of seduction and conquest.

Now, out of nowhere, an outsider had stepped onto their turf and even dared to lay hands on the beauty they coveted. What was even more infuriating was that this person had paid only a measly single spirit stone.

This was an immense humiliation. It turned out that the clown wasn’t Mo Hua. They were all the real clowns.

Not only were the young masters from ordinary aristocratic clans seething with rage, but even the direct heirs of the four great clans looked at Mo Hua with murder in their eyes.

And the most furious of them all, the first to bear the brunt, was the Eldest Young Master of the Earth Sect. The esteemed Eldest Young Master of the Earth Sect had spent a heavenly crystal and still couldn’t meet the woman, yet someone else had become her intimate guest with just a single spirit stone. This was undoubtedly tearing his face off, throwing it to the ground, and stomping on it, a humiliation he had never endured in his entire life.

“Good, very good…”

The Eldest Young Master of the Earth Sect laughed in extreme anger, momentarily losing control of his Bloodline Dao Power. The seat made of solid jade instantly shattered into powder, causing everyone’s pupils to contract.

The Eldest Young Master of the Earth Sect turned his head, his gaze cold and direct as he stared at Mo Hua. Though his expression showed no ferocity, the hidden malice in his eyes was enough to chill one to the bone. Even Miao Niángzǐ of the Jade Fragrance Pavilion felt a moment of terror, her face turning pale.

The Eldest Young Master of the Earth Sect wielded immense power in Kun Province, and his wrath was not something just anyone could withstand. Moreover, in his current state of rage, his blood qi surged, and the Flood Dragon’s Might radiated outward, causing even unrelated bystanders to feel their hearts pounding with fear.

Only Mo Hua remained calm and composed, as if no one else were present. To others, this demeanor of his was purely ‘arrogant and overbearing’ to the extreme.

Bai XiaoSheng watched with a headache. It was truly a case of fearing something only for it to happen, the more he feared Mo Hua causing trouble, the more trouble Mo Hua seemed to attract. And it wasn’t just minor trouble; he only stirred up major incidents. This kid really was a walking bad omen…

Bai XiaoSheng sighed inwardly, already considering how to get Mo Hua out if a chaotic brawl truly erupted later. After all, he was the Little Grandaunt’s Little Junior Brother; he had to protect him somehow.

Among aristocratic young masters, there were generally rules and face to consider, and they wouldn’t truly tear off all pretense. But once they started fighting over a woman, all that went out the window. The more hot-blooded the young master, the more likely he was to lose his senses over beauty and commit incomprehensible foolish acts for a woman.

Moreover, Mo Hua wasn’t even a young master from a local Kun Province aristocratic clan, he was an outsider. The local young masters of Kun Province were bound to be exclusionary. They could never tolerate Mo Hua stepping on their faces to lay hands on the courtesan.

However, amidst his headache, Bai XiaoSheng felt even more shock. He never expected that the courtesan would actually give the opportunity to enter her boudoir to Mo Hua. Although it was said to depend on fate, giving everyone a chance, this was just too coincidental. Bai XiaoSheng wasn’t naive enough to truly believe in such nonsense as fate. Instead, he suspected that there must be some hidden dealings between Mo Hua and Yu Nujiao, this man and woman.

Not only Bai XiaoSheng, but most others thought the same.

The Eldest Young Master stared fixedly at Mo Hua, his voice authoritative and slightly hoarse: “Do you know Yu Nujiao?”

Mo Hua shook his head, “Not yet.”

The Eldest Young Master frowned slightly, “If you don’t know her, why did she choose you?”

Mo Hua replied, “You should ask her, not me.”

The implication was that the courtesan chose him, not the other way around. If you want to know why, naturally you should ask the courtesan.

The Eldest Young Master’s gaze lingered on Mo Hua’s handsome, picturesque face for a moment, fueling even more jealousy and resentment in his heart. Women in this world truly were blind fools, only fond of pretty-faced men.

The Eldest Young Master commanded, “Leave on your own, leave the peony behind, and I won’t hold your offense against you.”

Mo Hua had always been more responsive to soft words than threats. If it were an ordinary person advising him, he might have considered it, but this so-called Eldest Young Master was likely a vile creature from the Young Masters’ Pavilion—how dare he tell him what to do? Mo Hua’s temper could be quite bad at times.

Miao Niángzǐ was still holding the jade tray, presenting it before Mo Hua. Mo Hua then took the large, crystal-clear, jade-like peony flower in front of everyone, casually weighing and playing with it for a moment before saying with a faint smile: “A peony delivered to my doorstep, why not take it?”

This act was like adding fuel to the fire. The Eldest Young Master of the Earth Sect, along with all the aristocratic young masters present, were filled with jealousy and anger, wishing they could devour Mo Hua’s flesh. Within the Eldest Young Master’s Karmic Chains, the decaying poppy flowers began to twist.

However, Mo Hua didn’t care. He was too lazy to waste words and instead said to Miao Niángzǐ, “Lead the way.” His time was precious, and he had no interest in tangling with these young masters.

Miao Niángzǐ glanced at the Eldest Young Master, then at Mo Hua, secretly astonished. She bowed and said, “Yes, Young Master Mo, please follow me.”

With that, Miao Niángzǐ began to lead the way for Mo Hua to the courtesan’s boudoir.

Seeing that Mo Hua actually dared to approach the courtesan, the Eldest Young Master immediately roared in anger, “Young Master Mo!”

Mo Hua stopped and turned back to look at the Eldest Young Master.

The Eldest Young Master said coldly, “Think carefully. Are you truly willing to become an enemy of the Kun Province Aristocratic Clans for the sake of a woman?”

Hearing this, Mo Hua’s expression remained calm. He then shook his head and said, “It’s you who should think carefully. Are you Kun Province Aristocratic Clans truly willing to become my enemy over such a trivial matter?”

As soon as these words were spoken, the Eldest Young Master was stunned. Even the hall full of aristocratic young masters were momentarily dazed and shocked.

What audacity! What arrogance! What did he mean by the Kun Province Aristocratic Clans becoming his enemy? What did he, a single person, amount to, daring to utter such arrogant words? Did he think he alone could annihilate the Kun Province Aristocratic Clans?

Even Bai XiaoSheng was astounded. He had thought Mo Hua was already arrogant enough before, but Mo Hua’s arrogance exceeded even his expectations. In fact, the word arrogant was no longer sufficient to describe it. Someone capable of such abstractly extreme arrogance was truly rare in this world.

Everyone present felt an inexplicable sense of dread, and for a moment, no one spoke.

Seeing that no one dared to answer him, Mo Hua turned to Miao Niángzǐ and said, “Lead the way.”

Miao Niángzǐ snapped back to her senses, casting a “fearful” glance at Mo Hua before lowering her gaze and replying, “Yes.”

Then, with her head bowed, she continued to guide Mo Hua. As they reached the edge of the platform, large crimson peony petals suddenly drifted down from the top of the hall, forming a vibrant red floral carpet that draped at Mo Hua’s feet.

Stepping onto the carpet, Mo Hua ascended step by step under the watchful eyes of the crowd, walking through the flurry of falling petals toward the highest point of the Spring Tower, the boudoir of the courtesan Yu Nujiao.

The other young masters could only watch helplessly. Some were unwilling, wanting to stop Mo Hua from entering the courtesan’s boudoir, but they dared not act rashly, fearing they might break the rules and lose face and grace in front of Lady Yu. After all, the choice was made by Lady Yu herself, and none dared to truly defy her wishes.

By the time everyone regained their composure, Mo Hua had already disappeared step by step along the floral carpet, entering the highest floor of the Spring Tower—the courtesan’s chamber, a place no man had ever set foot in before.

A chill settled in everyone’s hearts, yet they were also consumed by the flames of jealousy, their eyes filled with malice.

Bai XiaoSheng sensed the resentment and hostility the young masters harbored toward Mo Hua and inwardly sighed: This hateful Mo Hua, wherever he goes, someone wants him dead.

But then again… Bai XiaoSheng frowned slightly, feeling a twinge of worry—This kid, discussing music and philosophy with the courtesan… surely he’s just playing the zither, right? They won’t do anything improper…

Bai XiaoSheng took a slight breath, inexplicably anxious yet somewhat envious. After all, in all of Houtu City, only this reckless kid Mo Hua had such good fortune.

But if Mo Hua really did something improper… how would he explain it to Little Grandaunt when he returned?

Bai XiaoSheng thought for a moment and decided he was overthinking it. Little Grandaunt was the senior sister, and Mo Hua was the junior brother—their relationship was simply that of senior and junior. Besides, Little Grandaunt was a celestial being. With her temperament, she wouldn’t even glance at Mo Hua’s dalliances outside.

And the courtesan of Houtu City was no ordinary woman either. So many young masters of the Earth Sect had been toyed with by her, yearning for her day and night yet unable to win her favor. How could Mo Hua possibly take advantage of her?

Bai XiaoSheng glanced around and shook his head, sighing inwardly: I just hope we can walk out of the Jade Fragrance Pavilion later…

At that moment, the young masters around them sat coldly in their seats, looking up at the pavilion where the courtesan resided, each lost in their own thoughts.

Miao Niángzǐ intended to announce, “The courtesan’s banquet has concluded. Please return, young masters.” But as she glanced at the nearly silent hall, filled with cold and furious noble young masters—all waiting for Mo Hua to descend—she held her tongue. They wanted to know what kind of zither Young Master Mo would play and what philosophy he would discuss with the courtesan. They also wondered whether Young Master Mo would leave the Jade Fragrance Pavilion alive tonight.

…

At that moment, on the highest floor of the Spring Tower.

The courtesan’s chamber.

Mo Hua stepped onto the peony floral carpet and entered the boudoir that countless men in Houtu City had dreamed of.

As far as the eye could see, there was an indescribable display of luxury and opulence. Warm jade paved the floor, colored glaze formed the windows, cloud-like gauze draped as curtains, and a jade couch was adorned with mermaid silk. In the air drifted an elegant yet rich fragrance of musk. Night pearls embedded in the four walls emitted a brilliant radiance, illuminating the center of the boudoir, where a woman clad in a bright red robe embroidered with pearls and crabapple blossoms stood out vividly against the snow-like backdrop.

This woman sat upright on the jade couch, her appearance icy and breathtakingly beautiful, akin to snow and ice atop a high mountain, exuding an aura of unapproachable dignity. This woman was none other than the courtesan Yu Nujiao.

Any man who beheld such a peerless beauty, so lofty and unattainable, would likely feel a sense of unworthiness.

Yet Mo Hua remained calm, his expression serene as he surveyed his surroundings. In the center of the boudoir, he spotted a white jade table. On it were arranged exquisite wine and delicacies, and before the table were two cushions made from the fur of Spirit Beasts.

Mo Hua walked over to the table and sat down on his own accord, then raised his head and cast a slightly indifferent glance at Yu Nujiao.

With just that faint glance, all the nobility and iciness melted away from Yu Nujiao on the jade couch. It was as if the snow and ice atop the high mountain had thawed into a pool of spring water, her eyes softening with charm and the corners of her lips curling into a smile.

Yu Nujiao gracefully walked over to Mo Hua, knelt and sat opposite him, her back straight and her posture gentle as water, exuding an indescribable softness and obedience: “Young Master Mo, I have been waiting for you for a long time.”

Mo Hua glanced at Yu Nujiao and said calmly, “Yu Lian’er?”

Having her identity exposed, Yu Nujiao showed no panic. Instead, her eyes brightened like stars as she smiled and said, “Young Master Mo still remembers my name. Lian’er is truly overwhelmed with honor.”

Mo Hua’s expression remained indifferent. Women of the Joyous-Union Sect were never easy to deal with, let alone its saintess.

Mo Hua’s gaze turned slightly cold, and he said with a faint, mocking smile, “Did you invite me here just to make me enemies with the scions of the Kun Province Aristocratic Clans?”

Yu Nujiao hurriedly replied, “How would I dare—”

Mo Hua looked at Yu Nujiao.

Yu Nujiao sighed, her brows furrowed in a delicate, pitiful manner, like the legendary beauty Xi Shi clutching the heart, and said in a lovesick tone: “Back then, during the Dragon Pool incident, you displayed divine might, sweeping through all opposition. I truly admired you greatly. But ever since we parted, I heard no news of you and had no chance to see you again. Day and night, I longed for you, yet to no avail…”

“Now that I am in Kun Province, I unexpectedly heard news of Young Master Mo and learned that you were safe, having escaped the calamity of the Great Wilderness. Naturally, I was overjoyed.”

“However…” Yu Nujiao sighed, “I have fallen into a place of ill repute, bound by circumstances, and am also under the supervision of the elders, unable to leave and meet you. Thus, I had no choice but to resort to this desperate measure, secretly sending an invitation to Young Master Mo so that I could see you at the courtesan banquet and relieve…”

Yu Nujiao gazed at Mo Hua with infatuation, her eyes filled with tender affection, speaking with indescribable shyness and charm, “…to relieve the pain of longing and admiration.”

After listening to this lengthy speech, Mo Hua’s expression remained impassive as he said to Yu Nujiao, “Be serious.”

“Oh.”

Upon hearing this, Yu Nujiao immediately shed her tender and seductive demeanor, sitting obediently and earnestly, no longer uttering those cloyingly sweet words.

Mo Hua then asked, “Tell me the truth. Why did you really invite me here?”

Yu Nujiao once again assumed a lovesick expression and said, “Naturally, it is because I admire you—”

Mo Hua’s gaze turned cold.

Not daring to jest any further, Yu Nujiao sighed with a hint of disappointment: “Young Master Mo, your insight is as sharp as ever. You are right. I did indeed want you to have some unpleasant encounters with those aristocratic young masters…”

Mo Hua asked, “Why?”

Yu Nujiao’s eyes shifted, and she gave a charming smile. “It’s not for any particular reason. I’m just a bit vain. I enjoy watching a group of young masters from noble families vie for my attention, flatter and fawn over me, burn with jealousy when they can’t win my affection. Seeing all that makes me very happy.”

“Women are just like that, after all…”

Yu Nujiao wore a smiling expression on her face. However, Mo Hua knew she wasn’t telling the truth. Her vanity was real, but there was certainly more to it than that.

Mo Hua asked again, “What does this have to do with me?”

“How could it not have anything to do with you…” Yu Nujiao chided. “I want you, Young Master, to see how beautiful I am, to see just how many people in this world love me, fight for me, and compete for me—”

At this point, Yu Nujiao’s face flushed red. “Perhaps then… you might also come to love me…”

Mo Hua said, “If you don’t tell me the truth, I’ll leave.”

Seeing that Mo Hua seemed genuinely about to go, Yu Nujiao grew anxious and hurriedly said, “Young Master, please wait.”

Mo Hua looked at Yu Nujiao.

Under his gaze, Yu Nujiao first seemed flustered, as if struggling to find the words. Finally, biting her red lips, she spoke in a sweet and delicate voice: “Young Master Mo… have you ever considered joining the Joyous-Union Sect?”