Chapter Ninety-Seven: The Land of Broken Doom

The night was deepening.

Some streets within Mingyi City had gradually quieted down, yet others remained brightly lit, bustling with people coming and going in lively throngs.

Take this very spot, for example—a crimson pavilion perched above a river winding through Mingyi City, connected to the bustling main street by a winding, nine-bend corridor.

Along this serpentine passage, an endless stream of people passed by: high-ranking officials and nobles, as well as heroes and wanderers of the martial world. Amid them were the soft coos of songbirds and the chatter of swallows, laughter ringing out ceaselessly.

Inside the pavilion, many graceful women could be glimpsed, adorned in vibrant garments, toasting and exchanging cups amid an atmosphere thick with the spirit of spring.

At the street entrance, before the corridor, stood two young men.

One wore a white robe, his demeanor elegant and carefree, smiling broadly as he gazed ahead. The other, clad in gray, was handsome yet furrowed his brows, hands clasped behind his back.

“Brother Ji, surely you jest? You say this wretched place is what you’re referring to?” The gray-robed youth pointed forward with a somber tone.

His finger indicated a signboard bearing the three characters: “Lichun Courtesan House.”

“Exactly, exactly! This is the very spot!” the white-robed scholar replied with a beaming smile. “This place occupies the most auspicious position under the Ziwei star, symbolizing great fortune from noble benefactors—a truly rare treasure!”

Liang Yan’s face darkened; he shot Ji Lai a sharp glance, then swung his long sleeve and turned away.

“Don’t go!” Ji Lai grabbed Liang Yan’s hand, urgency in his voice. “We’ve come all this way; Brother Liang, why rush off? Don’t you want to rid yourself of that hidden affliction within?”

“Rid my hidden affliction?” Liang Yan glanced back coldly, sneering. “I think you just want someone else to pay the price for you!”

“Oh, Brother Liang, so noble and eager to help, truly embodying the spirit of chivalry among us!” Ji Lai nodded approvingly, only to quickly catch himself and shake his head. “No, no! I meant Brother Liang is shortsighted and fails to grasp the subtlety here!”

Liang Yan said nothing, merely watching coldly. Ji Lai sheepishly withdrew his hand, smiling awkwardly.

“Brother Liang, no need to be so hasty. My divinations never err. According to the omen, this place twists and turns—there must be a glimmer of hope!”

Liang Yan remained unconvinced, rolling his eyes. “Sorry, if you can’t give me a proper explanation, don’t blame me for thinking you’re just a shameless freeloader!”

The words “shameless freeloader” bit sharply.

“Sigh, I only wish to do a good deed, yet I’m so misunderstood,” Ji Lai sighed. “Brother Liang, you don’t know—Lichun Courtesan House is not merely a den of earthly pleasures. It’s a hub for travelers from north and south to exchange news and goods. Many cultivators enjoy meeting here; it’s an excellent place to gather intelligence. From what I see, you don’t even fully understand the poison coursing within you. Why not go in and listen around? Even if my divination is wrong, you won’t lose anything.”

“Is that so?” Liang Yan asked, suspicion etched on his face.

“Every word true, not a single lie!” Ji Lai declared righteously.

“Well… very well. I’ll follow you inside, for now.”

Ji Lai brightened immediately, leading the way. “Brother Liang, please follow me!”

Liang Yan curled his lip but had no choice but to trail behind, following the winding corridor toward the crimson pavilion resting in the river’s center...

Though Liang Yan was only sixteen or seventeen, his mind mature beyond his years, he was still inexperienced with the world, having spent most of his time cultivating on the mountain. Yet with just a few words, Ji Lai had tricked him into entering the Lichun Courtesan House.

“Welcome, honored guests!”

Liang Yan and Ji Lai—one strikingly handsome, the other suave and charming—upon entering the pavilion, immediately drew the attention of many courtesans. Some in revealing attire glanced back repeatedly, winking and fluttering lashes, flaunting their allure.

Liang Yan, innocent and untouched by worldly matters, blushed deeply, staring fixedly ahead, refusing to meet anyone’s gaze.

Ji Lai, by contrast, was in his element, greeting the women with a radiant smile, exchanging playful glances with several beautiful courtesans, clearly reveling in the attention.

“Oh, who do we have here? It’s Young Master Ji!”

Suddenly, a sharp, sarcastic voice rang out. Liang Yan turned to see a voluptuous woman in her thirties, hands on her hips, glaring at them.

“Sister Wu! Long time no see!” Ji Lai smiled broadly, bowing with exaggerated respect as if meeting a mother-in-law.

“Not seen you in days, Sister Wu, and you’ve grown even more radiant. Truly a peerless beauty, incomparable even to those debutantes!” he flattered.

“Bah! I’m not falling for your tricks!” Sister Wu spat, yet a smug smile played on her lips—any woman could not help but feel a touch of vanity when praised by a handsome young man.

Her expression softened slightly, then she said suspiciously, “No matter how flowery your words, visiting a courtesan house always costs money. Don’t tell me you’re here to freeload again?”

“Impossible!” Ji Lai threw his head back, triumphant. “Today, I’ve brought plenty of silver! Madam Wu, please summon Miss Xuewei to share a few drinks with my friend!”

As the madam of the house, Sister Wu was shrewd. She could tell at a glance that this young man had brought a generous patron. Smiling broadly, she said, “Very well! Please wait in the Spring Room; I’ll inform them at once.”

But then she furrowed her brows, seeming to recall something. “However, Miss Xuewei has special rules. Not just anyone can see her. To meet her, one must pass three tests she sets and gain her approval.”

“Hmph, if Miss Xuewei’s rules are strict, so be it!” Ji Lai waved off the concern confidently. “I am no stranger to such matters!”

He tossed a silver ingot—the very fee he had just collected from Liang Yan—into her hands.

Madam Wu’s face lit up. “Please wait here; I shall fetch her immediately.” With a sway of her hips, she strode toward the rear of the pavilion.

By then, a maid had arrived to lead Liang Yan and Ji Lai into a quaint chamber, then took her leave.

“So tell me,” Liang Yan frowned within the room, “how does any of this relate to what I seek?”

“Brother Liang, you don’t understand yet,” Ji Lai said. “According to my divination, today is the day the clouds part and light shines through. The turning point lies precisely within the boudoir of a woman named Xuewei.”

Liang Yan doubted, “The crucial turning point between life and death is in a woman’s chamber?”

“Heh heh!” Ji Lai chuckled. “Truth or not, Brother Liang, you’ll see soon enough!”

At that moment, footsteps echoed swiftly along the corridor. The door opened, and a beautiful girl clad in pink entered.

She glanced at the two men and, covering her face with a smile, said, “Young masters, thank you for waiting. My lady requests your presence.”