"What are all these common women doing here? Hey, Landlady, bring out the prettiest girl you've got," Wang Xiaoqiang finally grew tired of these courtesans pestering him and shouted.

Wang Xiaoqiang's words immediately caused dissatisfaction among the girls, who complained one after another, "Tch, what's Master saying? Calling us common? We're the top picks!"

The brothel's Madame swayed her wide hips, her face garishly painted, as she waved the girls away and shot Wang Xiaoqiang a charmless smile, a blood-red fingered hand holding a scented handkerchief as she gestured in front of him, "Oh my, you look unfamiliar, could it be you're not from around here?"

Wang Xiaoqiang replied seriously, "Yes, I'm in the Capital City for some business, saw this place was lively and decided to drop by."

"Well, you've come to the right place then. Our Yihong Courtyard here in Tianxuan City is second to none. The girls here are top-notch, skilled in every art..."

"Alas, that's all worn out by now," Wang Xiaoqiang waved his hand and smiled. "I want something a bit more refined..."

"A bit more refined..." the Madame hesitated briefly before slapping her thigh cheerfully, "Oh yes, I do have someone called Feng Mengru, not only is she beautiful, but she's also skilled in all arts like music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. I'm sure you'll like her, but her price is higher than usual, and she sells skill, not her body..."

"Landlady, let's not kid around. Just call out the top pick of your Yihong Courtyard, save us both some speech. Money's no issue, just name a price, I won't haggle..."

His words left the Madame momentarily stunned, followed by a burst of joy, "Ah, I can see you're a generous patron. Fine, I won't beat around the bush. The most popular girl in our Yihong Courtyard is named Tingxiang. Lady Tingxiang is only eighteen, quite the unspoiled flower..."

At this point, the Madame lowered her voice and said, "Truth is, Lady Tingxiang was originally the daughter of an official family by the surname Yany. Her father, Yany Chengju, had a decent position in the court but offended His Majesty with a single word, was charged with deceiving the Emperor; it was so tragic, all the men in the family were killed, and all the women demoted to the brothel..."

"Uh..." Wang Xiaoqiang was slightly taken aback, "Doesn't this imply that the current Emperor intentionally wanted to humiliate the Yany Family? Why is Lady Tingxiang still an unspoiled flower?"

"Because..." the Madame suddenly became silent.

"Landlady, let's get straight to the point, call out your Yihong Courtyard's top pick for me, ten thousand taels of silver..."

"Ten, ten thousand taels..." the Madame's eyes widened, showing a look of delight yet disbelief, "Are you kidding me??"

Ten thousand taels of silver could almost buy ten girls.

"What's this? Too little..." Wang Xiaoqiang smiled nonchalantly.

Seeing Wang Xiaoqiang offer such a large amount, the Madame realized his unusual background and dared not to fool him further, thus with a troubled expression, said, "Master, to tell the truth, our Yihong Courtyard's top pick, named Ziyan, Miss Ziyan, has a special status, she never sees guests, doesn't matter how esteemed the guest or the price...

"Uh..." Wang Xiaoqiang feigned surprise, "Does that mean Miss Ziyan holds a transcendental status..."

"Sigh, to be honest," the Madame lowered her voice further, "when Ziyan entered Yihong Courtyard, she was fortunate enough to catch the attention of the current Emperor, in short, she's His Majesty's, even I have to act according to her wishes...

"Uh, I see." Wang Xiaoqiang feigned shock, "Does His Majesty frequently visit here to see Miss Ziyan..."

"Well, that you shouldn't ask, no one dares to tell." The Madame said repressively, "Besides, knowing is of no benefit to you."

"Hmm, makes sense. Alas..." Wang Xiaoqiang sighed with seeming regret.

"Master, my suggestion is for you to choose Lady Tingxiang, she's a proper young lady, not like ordinary girls, and her beauty is no less than that of Ziyan." The Madame, afraid of losing such a wealthy customer in Wang Xiaoqiang, advised.

"Alright then, I'll meet this Lady Tingxiang." Wang Xiaoqiang agreed.

"Ah," the Madame beamed, but then added, "but Master, I must say, Lady Tingxue's price isn't low either."

"As long as I enjoy myself, money isn't an issue." Wang Xiaoqiang said, placing a large pile of silver from the Sumeru Ring on the table.

"Ah, Master, you are truly generous." The Madame said, joyfully gathering the silver while leading Wang Xiaoqiang to the second floor.

Upstairs, they heard the alluring sound of a pipa. The melody was somewhat mournful.

"Look, Master, this is Lady Tingxiang playing the pipa, isn't the melody beautiful?" The Madame praised.

"It's just a bit sad," Wang Xiaoqiang paused for a moment.

The clients come to the brothel seeking pleasure, but Lady Tingxiang plays such sad tunes all day; how can she attract guests? Her pipa music is like a funeral dirge, making people cry; the guests who come seeking her often leave defeated before reaching her bed.

So, up to now, she's still a maiden.

Bam!

The Madame pushed open Lady Tingxiang's room door with a river lion's roar, "Yany Tingxiang, meet the guest!"

The pipa music stopped. A woman in plain clothes stood up holding a pipa. Her face was somewhat pale, showing a bit of stubbornness, her gaze coldly swept over the Madame and Wang Xiaoqiang.

"Master, this is Lady Tingxiang," the Madame gestured to the girl introducing her to Wang Xiaoqiang, then walked to Tingxiang's side, whispering, "Serve him well, this is a wealthy master, stop playing those funeral-like tunes..."

Tingxiang did not reply, biting her red lips.

Wang Xiaoqiang closely examined Lady Tingxiang, noticing she wore almost no makeup, her face was natural, long black hair draped behind her. Her pretty face was graceful, her figure slightly slender, giving a sense of frailty and pitiful allure.

Wang Xiaoqiang found this girl to have a certain charm, so he waved his hand, "Alright, Landlady, you may leave."

"Do serve him well." the Madame gave Tingxiang a warning glance before leaving the room and closing the door behind them.

Lady Tingxiang held the pipa, lowering her head without speaking.

Wang Xiaoqiang released his Divine Sense to scan her, surprisingly discovering that Lady Tingxiang had cultivation and was at the Immortal Realm level.

Which makes sense, the daughter of an official family, how could she be without cultivation!

But since it was an imperial decree that sent her to the brothel, no matter how vast her cultivation, she dared not escape.

Wang Xiaoqiang approached Yany Tingxue, glancing at her.

Yany Tingxiang looked up coldly at Wang Xiaoqiang, her gaze similar to how she looked at previous guests, showing a hint of disgust.

Understandably, a daughter of an official family, even if fallen into a brothel, would not willingly let herself be sullied by men.

Wang Xiaoqiang wasn't here for carnal pleasure, so he didn't mind, sitting at the table, he said, "Lady Tingxiang, play a piece."

Yany Tingxiang reluctantly moved opposite the table, sat down, and began to play and sing. The melody flowed, extremely mournful, like a funeral dirge, yet carried a certain magic power, instantly bringing tears.

Wang Xiaoqiang, an Immortal Emperor Stage cultivator, and a person of Enlightenment, was still moved to tears by the tune; his mind jumped, and he immediately snapped, "Stop."

Yany Tingxiang ceased playing, shooting Wang Xiaoqiang a cold glance, somewhat apprehensive.

"This tune of yours is no ordinary piece, it must be a cultivation technique, carrying magic power." Wang Xiaoqiang sternly eyed Yany Tingxiang as he spoke.

Yany Tingxiang's face changed drastically, her body trembled, she lowered her head in silence, visibly anxious.

"So you've been using this 'tune' to resist those clients." Wang Xiaoqiang said, "What kind of tune is this? How terrifying!"

Yany Tingxiang did not answer.

Wang Xiaoqiang thought, this 'tune' technique is extraordinary, an Immortal Realm could breach his Immortal Emperor psychological defense, making him shed tears; if Yany Tingxiang's cultivation were higher, like reaching the Immortal Emperor Stage, she could perhaps bewilder the minds of Immortal Emperor Realm cultivators.

Thinking of this, Wang Xiaoqiang gave it importance, considering if he could learn this tune, he might easily vanquish an Immortal Emperor! (To be continued. If you like this piece, you're welcome at Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets, monthly passes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)

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