Secular Immortal of the Nine Realms - Chapter 71

Chapter 71: Flower Boat Competition

Huangfu Jie was baffled. Yuan Zhuang and the other rectifiers also looked at Fang Chen in bewilderment. War supreme-ruler Fang has never been here? How is that possible?!

Enchanting beauties were known to dwell in the posh boats floating above the Great Xia River. There were rumors the emperor had snuck out of his imperial palace to pay this place a visit. Young scions frequented this place, and even the crown prince occasionally dropped by to listen to a tune or two.

To put it bluntly, only those who didn’t have money hadn’t been here, but the Fang Manor wouldn’t lack money.

Could it be…

A possibility surfaced in their minds, prompting them to look at Fang Chen with weird looks.

“I would have paid this place a visit, but I didn’t have time back then. I spent most of my time and energy on the battlefield,” Fang Chen explained with a laugh.

“Ah!”

The crowd reined in their expressions and looked at Fang Chen in respect. Other than the last five years he spent mostly cooped in the Fang Manor, he had spent most of his youth preparing for battles or fighting on battlefields. There was indeed no time for him to visit such places.

The servant brought them to the hall located at the center of the Jade Fairy Boat.

From the seats placed in a disorderly but aesthetic manner to the aroma of fine alcohol, Fang Chen felt like he had walked into a bar. Waiters and waitresses were on standby around the hall.

After the group settled down, Xu Ge beckoned a waitress over with a wave of his hand and placed several orders, and the latter nodded before taking her leave. It didn’t take long for their table to be filled with side dishes and fine alcohol.

Shortly after, several ladies walked over and smiled coyly at Huangfu Jie and the others. They were perplexed when they saw Fang Chen’s closed eyes; they couldn’t understand why he was averting his eyes at a place like this.

Yuan Zhuang’s face turned bright red. He glanced at Fang Chen before turning to Xu Ge, saying, “Brother Xu, I don’t need…”

“Don’t be a spoilsport when you’re already here!” Xu Ge was dissatisfied.

“Indeed, Rectifier Yuan. Now that you’re already here, you should at least show some respect to War supreme-ruler Fang, if not us,” Yuan Zhuang’s colleagues said as they happily beckoned the ladies who caught their eyes over.

These ladies strutted over and coyly leaned on their bodies, occasionally letting out bell-like chuckles.

Seeing there was no way for him to back out of this, Yuan Zhuang reluctantly called for a lady.

Huangfu Jie was a veteran with such places, but he was still excited as a child as it was rare to see such fine women in the southern region. He beckoned two ladies over to flank him, and he thanked Fang Chen while eating their hand-fed grapes.

“Going for two at once? Tsk tsk. Of course you don’t feel burdened spending someone else’s taels.” Xu Ge shook his head.

It went without saying that Fang Chen was paying for this trip.

The lady beside Xu Ge noticed that Fang Chen, despite being in the center seat, was sitting alone with his eyes closed, so she teased with a smile, “Young master, aren’t you feeling lonely? Why don’t I get one of our sisters over to drink with you?”

“You just have to serve me, your hubby, well. Stay out of our young master’s affairs,” Xu Ge reprimanded jokingly.

“Of course, my hubby. I was wrong. Come, let me feed you some wine.” The lady took a sip of wine before staring adoringly at Xu Ge.

Seconds later, Xu Ge wiped his lips and laughed in satisfaction.

“You sure know how to play.” Fang Chen chuckled.

Yuan Zhuang had been rather stiff and awkward since arriving at the Jade Fairy Boat, but he slowly let himself loose after downing a few cups of wine. He even learned a couple of common drinking chants from the ladies and was having the time of his life.

Just then, a person declared aloud, “Our Lord Baron from Longdu will be treating every table to a vat of Drunk Fairy Brew!”

“Longdu nobles are generous indeed!”

Such cheers could be heard from the crowd, but Xu Ge and the others sneered in contempt.

Not far away, Baron Xian, Ye Qinghe, and the others were having fun too. They often rewarded the ladies around them with silver taels. Even the waiters and waitresses serving them received generous tips too.

“Young master Ye, when is Jade Fairy coming out?” Baron Xian placed his wine cup down and asked impatiently.

Ye Qinghe chuckled. “No rush, Baron Xian. There’s a Flower Boat Competition today, so you’ll definitely be able to see Jade Fairy’s enchanting dance later on.”

“Flower Boat Competition? Interesting!” Baron Xian revealed an excited smile.

Unknowingly, the brilliantly-lit boats had begun gathering around the center of the Great Xia River, forming a circle with decks facing decks. One of the waiters on the Jade Fairy Boat pulled open a massive curtain, allowing the crowd to see the scenery on the other decks.

This piqued the excitement of many customers. Those who had been to or heard about previous Flower Boat Competitions were prepared to be awed by the performances tonight.

Beautiful figures stepped onto the decks of each boat and began their dance. Each boat had their unique flavors, treating the customers to the splendor of simultaneously watching all of the top performances on the Great Xia River.

The atmosphere crescendoed, as the top performers of each boat stepped onto the stage. Melodious music played, and under resounding applause, the top performers danced their souls out.

Over on the Jade Fairy Boat, the customers watched with bated breaths as the lightly veiled Jade Fairy made her appearance. Her ethereal aura, seductive figure, and glistening fair feet immediately put her under the spotlight, outshining the performers on the other boats.

“She has reached third stage Ki Control. The Bone Tempering Pills worked well.” Fang Chen nodded in satisfaction while admiring Jade Fairy’s dance.

The lady beside Xu Ge saw how Fang Chen was nodding at the deck despite his closed eyes, and that made her even more perplexed. Can he see even with his eyes closed?

Just then, someone shouted from the neighboring boat, “2000 taels. I’d like to invite Jade Fairy over for a drink!”

“Boss Zhao sure is hearty, but 2000 taels is child’s play. I’ll offer 3000 taels to invite Jade Fairy over to make friends with her.”

“Pardon me, but you shouldn’t even think about inviting Jade Fairy if you don’t even have 5000 taels prepared. The two of you enjoy the performance while you can. I’ll offer 5000 taels!”

These people sure have deep pockets. Xu Ge, Huangfu Jie, and the others thought as they exchanged gazes. Even Ki Control martial artists like them couldn’t afford to squander so much money on a whim, unless they used their strength to rob others.

“Heh…” Baron Xian burst into laughter. He sipped on his wine while glancing at Ye Qinghe.

Ye Qinghe caught his drift and spoke up, “Longdu’s Baron Xian offers 5,500 taels to invite Jade Fairy over for a drink.”

His words were clearly relayed to all of the boats via his inner ki. It was not a high offer, but the surrounding crowd fell silent. No one dared to bid any higher.

Baron Xian smiled in glee. He raised his wine cup toward Jade Fairy and said, “Jade Fairy, I have heard about your grace from Longdu. May I have the honor of sharing a drink with you?”