Chapter 87: Charm Demon Sect
Wanhua Courtyard was the name of this brothel.
Lu Yuan’s first impression was that it was tall and extravagant.
Now, as the sky slowly darkened, all the lanterns on the nine-story building had been lit, casting a golden, resplendent glow.
From the second floor up, the figure of a woman could be seen in every window.
Some were dancing, others were playing music.
All in all, the display of talent was impressive, setting it apart from other brothels.
"Yuan, this is the best brothel in all of Yan Province! Let me tell you, the women in there are true beauties. A single glance is enough to make a man’s bones melt. I ran out of silver a long time ago. I’m only able to come today because I’m tagging along with you, and my sister’s footing the bill."
Grinning, Zhou Hao pulled Lu Yuan inside. Just as they stepped through the main gate,
a voluptuous woman in a long, peach-pink dress greeted them. Her features were bewitching, though not exceptionally beautiful. However, the alluring aura she exuded made one involuntarily overlook her appearance.
Even Lu Yuan was momentarily captivated, but his brow furrowed almost immediately.
A silent alarm went off in his mind.
’This definitely isn’t something an ordinary woman should possess,’ he thought. ’The woman in front of me must be practicing some kind of Charm Skill.’
He didn’t expose her, however. ’After all, it’s impossible for someone to open a brothel this large in Yan Province without powerful backing. I’m just a mere Captain. It’s best not to get involved in this mess.’
’Besides, this is a brothel. If they don’t try to seduce their customers, are they supposed to be driving them away?’
Zhou Hao was clearly enchanted, a dazed smile playing on his lips.
"Aiya, Young Master Zhou is here! Please, come in. You’re in for a treat today. We’ve just had some new girls arrive, and they’re waiting for your... appraisal," the woman cooed.
Zhou Hao finally snapped out of it and pointed at Lu Yuan. "Hua Niang, I’m not the main event today, he is. Make sure you take good care of my friend here. There’ll be plenty of silver in it for you."
The woman immediately sidled up to Lu Yuan, pressing against him like a piece of warm, soft jade.
Lu Yuan didn’t push her away, simply saying, "Don’t mind him, he’s just joking. I’m only here for a few drinks."
As he spoke, his gaze swept across the room.
Even though night had just begun to fall, the place was already bustling with people.
Zhou Hao was clearly a well-known figure in Yanzhou City, as many of the Wanhua Courtyard’s patrons were greeting him.
"Will you be taking a private room, Sir, or would you prefer the main hall?" Hua Niang asked with a grin, squeezing Lu Yuan’s muscular arm.
"Let’s get a private room," Zhou Hao interjected, his hands already roaming freely.
His actions elicited a playful pout from Hua Niang.
She then led the two upstairs. On the second floor, she stopped outside a private room named Tingyu Pavilion and showed Lu Yuan and his companion to their seats.
Moments later, an array of fruits, pastries, wine, and fine dishes were served.
They were followed by a dozen or so scantily clad young women.
Each was slender and bewitching, with a delicate, beautiful face. Most importantly, they exuded a unique charm that the average person would find truly irresistible.
"My dear Young Masters, these are the finest girls we have. Please, take your pick, and I will have them stay," Hua Niang said softly.
"Heh, what do you mean, ’take our pick’? I like all of them! Have them all stay. You’ll get your silver," Zhou Hao declared, his face flushed and already slightly drunk. At some point, he had already started drinking.
After all, he had already had a fair bit to drink back at the mansion.
"Very well, as you wish," Hua Niang replied, delighted.
The dozen or so women then flocked into the room.
They began pouring drinks for Lu Yuan and Zhou Hao, and for a while, the private room was filled with the melodious chatter of the women.
Lu Yuan, for his part, seemed to be enjoying himself.
He wasn’t the least bit reserved; in fact, he seemed to be in his element.
A careful observer, however, would notice that Lu Yuan maintained a subtle, almost imperceptible distance from the women.
Just as he finished the wine in his cup,
a figure snuggled up to him. The woman, dressed in a short purple skirt, had fair, almost translucent skin. Her breath was as fragrant as an orchid as she whispered, "Young Master, we have guest rooms upstairs. You’re welcome to stay the night, if you wish."
Lu Yuan glanced at the woman. He noticed that after a few drinks, her alluring aura had grown even stronger.
He found himself momentarily swayed, but he instantly regained his clarity. "I have matters to attend to at home," he said. "Perhaps next time."
Then, he looked at Zhou Hao, whose upper robes had been all but torn off. "It’s getting late. We should be heading back."
Hearing Lu Yuan, Zhou Hao was momentarily dazed. He shook his head to clear it, then said, "Yuan, we just got here."
His voice was tinged with reluctance.
"I have some things to take care of when I get back," Lu Yuan said. "We’ll do this again some other time."
With that, he stood and pulled Zhou Hao toward the door.
Though reluctant, Zhou Hao had no choice but to follow.
He knew his sister’s personality. She might seem easygoing, but she was incredibly proud and didn’t give ordinary people the time of day.
The fact that she had let him bring Lu Yuan out, and was even willing to pay for it herself, proved that Lu Yuan was definitely an extraordinary person.
So, he didn’t put up a fight.
After going downstairs and paying with silver, the two got in their carriage and left immediately.
As soon as they left,
TAP TAP TAP!
Hua Niang entered Tingyu Pavilion. She looked at the girls gathered there and asked, "What happened? Why did they leave so soon?"
Her voice had lost its earlier coquettishness, replaced by a chilling coldness.
Young Master Zhou of the Zhou Family was a target their superiors had ordered them to get close to.
"Who knows? Young Master Zhou had already agreed to stay the night, but that Young Master Lu with him just dragged him away without any explanation. I’ve never seen anyone like him before.
My Charm Spirit Skill didn’t even work on him,"
the purple-clad girl said at once.
The other girls nodded in agreement.
Hua Niang’s expression darkened. "Be more careful when you use the Charm Spirit Skill next time," she said. "Not everyone is as naive as that Young Master Zhou. His friend, Young Master Lu, is clearly a difficult character.
You can smell the stench of blood on him from a mile away."
"Understood," the girls all nodded.
Clearly, these were no ordinary courtesans.
"Yes. Lay low for a while. We’ve received word from our superiors that the Dayong imperial court is investigating our Charm Demon Sect. Do not expose your identities, or the court will surely hunt us down and destroy us."
After she finished speaking, Hua Niang headed upstairs.
When she reached the third floor, a shocking scene greeted her. From a long row of rooms, waves of ecstatic cries could be heard. Inside, the male patrons had ghastly pale faces and emaciated bodies, appearing utterly drained from overindulgence.
The women with them, however, were as radiant as blooming flowers, their auras visibly strengthened.
Meanwhile, Lu Yuan and Zhou Hao were about to arrive back at the Zhou Family estate.
The latter grumbled, "Yuan, you really don’t know how to have a good time. I spent so much silver to take you out, and we came back so soon. What a waste."
"You should stay away from that place from now on," Lu Yuan said coolly. "If you’re looking for female company, find somewhere else."
The more he thought about it, the more he felt something was off.
Beneath the thick scent of rouge, there had been a faint, hidden smell of blood.
’That brothel is far from simple.’
Just as he was thinking this,
the carriage arrived outside the Zhou Mansion. As soon as Lu Yuan stepped out, he saw Zhou Hongling waiting for them by the gate. He didn’t know how long she had been there.
Her expression was grim and a little strange.
Only when she saw Lu Yuan did she force a smile. "You’re back so soon? Let’s go in and eat first."
As for Zhou Hao, she didn’t even spare him a glance.