Chapter 260: Very Unusual

The three continued walking in the silent city at night, heading southwest.

Ji Yuan didn't mention going to places like the City God Temple, so Zhang Rui knew he intended to investigate the situation personally.

For this kind of matter, Ji Yuan wouldn't involve the underworld deities. Firstly, it could easily lead to jurisdictional disputes, and secondly, it would be too much trouble. A more direct approach was better.

Among the three, Ji Yuan was curious, holding his own conjectures, while Wang Li's brows were tightly furrowed. Zhang Rui was the most at ease; Mr. Ji's decree had temporarily solidified her wish power, preventing it from dissipating, so she no longer needed to worry as she had before.

A peculiar aspect of Chengsui Prefecture City was that over half of its southern city wall had not been constructed. Instead, it directly bordered the Sui River. As a major river, the Sui River was several tens of zhang wide at this location. This construction method of Chengsui Prefecture created a natural, large pier in the city's southwestern section.

This large pier was not only Chengsui Prefecture City's water transport hub and one of its most prosperous areas, but also a popular place for entertainment, though its scale was incomparable to that outside Chunhui Prefecture. The Grand Beauty Boat that Zhang Rui mentioned was also located here; it was a famous brothel boat in Chengsui Prefecture. Hong Xiu, one of the women aboard, was renowned throughout Youzhou, attracting even wealthy young masters and gentlemen from Jingji Prefecture.

Compared to the quietness of other parts of the city, there were still pedestrians near the Sui River pier at this hour. Their purpose for being out and visiting such a place at this time was self-evident; some had even sneaked out of their homes.

"Grand Beauty Boat" was a general term; in reality, besides that large pleasure boat, there was an even larger brothel building next to it called Grand Beauty House. The actual Grand Beauty Boat was moored in a concave section of the riverbank behind the building. The structures on both sides belonged to Grand Beauty House, effectively forming a small cove that encircled the boat. Guests could only reach the Grand Beauty Boat by entering the brothel and proceeding through the back of the building.

Before Ji Yuan and the others even got close, the sounds of charming laughter, playful banter, and shrieks had already reached his ears. Soon after, a complex mix of rouge and powder scents wafted into their noses.

With no embarrassment, Ji Yuan directly led Wang Li towards the brothel. Although Zhang Rui followed, she had clearly cast a spell, making her invisible to everyone except Ji Yuan and Wang Li.

"Young Master Zhang, you're here quite late today?"

"Master Zhao, take care!" "Come, come, sir, please come in..."

Outside the brothel, several women were drawing in customers. At this late hour, some passersby simply walked straight in, as there was no longer any need for pretense. Even those who feigned being passersby were gently coaxed or pulled inside after a brief greeting.

"Oh, Young Master Wang, you're back! Please, come right in! And who is this gentleman? What a captivating presence!"

As the three approached, Wang Li was immediately recognized by the women outside. Someone instantly came over, took his hand, and led him inside.

"Uh, heh... Mr. Ji, I... I don't come here often..."

The brothel women were discerning; they had a general understanding of who could be approached with excessive familiarity and who should not be casually touched.

For example, Wang Li was affectionately pulled inside, with women even brushing against him, but they dared not do the same to Ji Yuan. Although many women were looking at Ji Yuan, some were even deeply captivated.

But Ji Yuan simply stood there, and no one dared to casually pull at him.

"Hmph, 'don't come often'? Who would believe that? Mr. Ji, look, this man hardly speaks the truth!"

Wang Li's face turned beet red, and he didn't dare to look at Ji Yuan's expression. This was an immortal from the dream legends; he had no idea how Ji Yuan would view him.

Ji Yuan had never entered such a place in his previous life. If he were his former self, his face would likely be flushing now. Yet, at this moment, his face showed no particular emotion, and his mood was relatively calm. Of course, a slight nervousness lingered in his heart, but he felt neither excitement nor a condescending aversion.

In his previous life, some might have entered such professions purely for quick money. However, in this life, most brothel women were either sold to brothels as children or became low-status due to major disasters. The societal pressure on this profession was immense, capable of crushing people, and except for a very fortunate few, they rarely had a chance to escape their circumstances.

"Young Master Wang, why don't you come in? Sir, would you like to step inside and rest for a bit? It's windy and cold out here!"

The women could all see that Wang Li's embarrassed expression was due to him observing Ji Yuan's reaction.

Ji Yuan then nodded.

"Mr. Wang, let's go inside."

Several women nearby felt a surge of joy and immediately rushed forward, eager to take Ji Yuan's hand.

"Buzz..."

The Green Vine Sword behind Ji Yuan emitted a sudden, sharp ringing sound, and a suppressed sword intent permeated a half-zhang radius around him.

Both Wang Li and some of the brothel women nearby felt a ringing in their ears and an intense sense of panic. Many even instinctively stumbled back several steps.

"They are all just pitiful people, not in control of their own lives."

Ji Yuan murmured softly, and the frightening, heart-palpitating sensation instantly vanished without a trace.

Zhang Rui retreated in horror, a full dozen zhang away, watching Ji Yuan from a distance, not daring to approach. She felt it far more intensely than ordinary mortals.

In that instant, it was as if she hallucinated seeing an endless, dazzling silver light filling her senses. It was an indescribable sharpness, like the bone-chilling sensation of a knife scraping one's skin in a bitterly cold and damp wind.

At this moment, Zhang Rui suddenly recalled that in the original *White Deer Affinity*, an immortal sword was suspended around the "old immortal."

'Which means...'

The white-clad goddess instinctively looked around and above Ji Yuan. Not seeing it didn't mean it wasn't there; it was normal for those with lower cultivation not to perceive immortal artifacts.

While Zhang Rui was still stunned, Ji Yuan and Wang Li had already entered the Grand Beauty House. However, unlike other guests who were ushered in with embraces and playful tugs, the two women accompanying them only dared to lead from a distance, awkwardly exchanging a few words, and not daring to make physical contact.

Shaking her head, Zhang Rui gritted her teeth and followed them inside.

Inside the Grand Beauty House, the bustling madam was directing several guests upstairs. She turned around and saw Ji Yuan and Wang Li entering. Her gaze briefly lingered on Wang Li before focusing intently on Ji Yuan, instantly sensing that this newcomer must be of extraordinary status.

"Oh, Young Master Wang, you've come to patronize us again. Unfortunately, Miss Hong Xiu still has a guest today... And this is..."

The madam, with an overly enthusiastic smile, fanning her round fan, went to greet them. She also shot a few glares at the girls nearby, thinking these girls were too undiscerning to recognize who deserved a warm welcome.

"Sir, are you Mr. Wang's friend, or...?"

The madam stood grinning beside Ji Yuan, pretending to glance at him casually. Although he wore no valuable accessories and his clothes appeared simple, she still sensed an extraordinary aura about him.

Especially that seemingly ordinary black jade hairpin—upon closer inspection, it was more translucent than glass under the lamplight, captivating one's gaze.

'Extremely rare, extremely precious! A big catch!'

Upon hearing the madam's words, Wang Li instinctively showed a look of apprehension.

"Oh, old madam, please don't speak nonsense. How could I be qualified to be Mr. Ji's friend? Mr. Ji is... uh, he's my elder, yes, a revered elder!"

Although Wang Li was merely a storyteller, he had truly seen a lot of the world. Some seemingly distinguished young masters and gentlemen actually didn't impress him, and he would occasionally reveal this attitude when he had too much to drink.

Seeing Wang Li's cautious reaction, the madam's smile blossomed like a chrysanthemum. She fanned her fan twice, wafting the perfumed scent towards Ji Yuan, and then bowed deeply in a respectful greeting.

"Hehehehe... Mr. Wang, you're joking. Sir, why don't you go to the Grand Beauty Boat? The women in Grand Beauty House aren't worthy of you!"

An excessive scent of rouge and powder made Ji Yuan slightly uncomfortable. The Green Vine Sword behind him neither hummed nor revealed its sword intent at that moment. However, within the spiritual inscription on its scabbard, the character for "conceal" in "concealed sharpness of ten thousand zhang" had actually faded. An insider seeing this would surely break into a sweat.

Ji Yuan resisted the urge to simply use wind to blow away the intensely pungent cloud of cosmetic scents. He calmly asked the madam:

"May I ask if Miss Hong Xiu is available?"

"Uh... this... Sir, Miss Hong Xiu is currently playing the qin for Master Liu. Master Liu is the younger maternal uncle of the Chengsui Prefecture Governor, you see. Sir, he has official connections, so perhaps we should..."

"Hmph..."

Listening to the madam's incessant explanation, Wang Li couldn't help but let out a snicker. The Governor's younger maternal uncle, compared to Mr. Ji?

As soon as the snicker escaped, he saw Ji Yuan turn his head to look at him with an indifferent expression, immediately turning his face pale with fright and not daring to make any further reaction.

The madam's eyes lit up, and her heart trembled slightly. Good heavens, he didn't even care about the Governor! Was he even more extraordinary than she had imagined?

"Uh, hehehehe... How about this then? Gentlemen, why don't you go to the Grand Beauty Boat first to rest and have some tea?"

The madam smiled, constantly thinking of ways, convinced she absolutely had to keep this guest.

"Alright."

Ji Yuan smiled for the first time in the brothel and led the way towards the back of the building. A faint, almost imperceptible demonic aura wafted from behind the brothel, its scent completely unmasked by the cosmetics to Ji Yuan's senses.

Just as Wang Li was about to follow, he found himself pulled by the madam, who leaned close to his ear and whispered:

"Mr. Wang, Master Wang, what exactly is that gentleman's background? I promise not to tell anyone, just give me a sure answer. If his background is grand enough, then Miss Hong Xiu will..."

Wang Li's eyes lit up. He glanced at Ji Yuan, who was already nearly ten paces ahead, and leaned close to the madam's ear.

"His background is so immense it would scare you to death if I told you. Forget the Governor's younger maternal uncle; even the Governor himself isn't worth mentioning! He... I can't say anymore..."

"Oh, oh, oh... I understand...!"

The madam swallowed, nodding her head, looking utterly delighted and understanding. She realized that this great gentleman's identity was far from simple. She looked back to see that he had already walked far away, then quickly waddled after Ji Yuan.

Beside Ji Yuan, Zhang Rui carefully took a step closer and whispered:

"Mr. Ji, should I help you drive that vixen out?"

Ji Yuan shook his head.

"Your level of cultivation isn't enough to handle her. That fox demon is far from simple; she's not merely a fox that knows how to charm people. She might be a transformed fox demon, or even much more powerful! There are still too many people here..."