Inside the Xunfang Building, the sound of music and dance was overwhelming, glasses of wine were being exchanged.

As soon as Qin An finished speaking, Cheng Hong quietly moved closer, her gaze cautiously sweeping over the dishes on the table, and she spoke in a low voice.

"You just said... this meal is laced with a mind-bending drug?"

She raised her eyebrows slightly, half-believing.

As a mountain guard, she naturally hadn't touched the chopsticks.

After all, even the smallest detail could lead to irreversible consequences if unnoticed.

Qin An nodded, his fingertips lightly tapping the edge of the table: "This drug, mixed into the food, can trap a person in indulgence, making it hard to extricate themselves."

With his level six medical profession, he didn't need to taste these things; just a glance would reveal everything clearly.

This Xunfang Building opened not long ago and was secretly hiding such a sinister object, it was impossible there wasn't a conspiracy involved, and he decisively didn't believe it.

Cheng Hong pondered for a moment, her slender fingers brushing across the table surface, as if wiping away invisible dust: "In that case... wait for the courtesan to appear."

Today happened to be the courtesan's client selection day, and if they could witness her true appearance, perhaps they could uncover clues to the mystery.

Qin An nodded slightly, saying no more, sitting in silence like a deep pool, waiting patiently.

The silver token in his chest trembled faintly, indicating the lurking presence of mountain guard silvers around him.

It wasn't just Cheng Hong who had information; anyone who could become a mountain guard silver was no simple character.

Many Jianghu people around were lost in the moment, completely unaware.

They, unlike the cautious mountain guard silvers, were happily devouring the food on the table.

With each bite, their gaze became more dispersed, as if lost in a fog.

About half an hour later, when the geisha on stage had already performed several dance pieces, an old procuress hunched over ascended the stage slowly.

The performing geisha had long since departed, leaving only the old procuress standing there.

At this moment, many hazy-eyed Jianghu people shifted their gazes towards the stage, their eyes filled with a fiery glow.

Qin An toyed with the wine cup, refraining from drinking, listening to the discussions around him.

"I've heard that courtesan is a rare beauty on the black market, just a single night would be worth dying for!"

"It's just a woman who sells her body, a plaything of the brothel, how precious can she be?"

"Brother, this must be your first time here, then you wouldn't know that this courtesan in the black market is as rare as any unique treasure, and worth every ounce of silver."

"Haha, I'm curious to see how beautiful she really is."

As the chatter continued, the old procuress cleared her throat and bowed continuously.

"Everyone, today happens to be the courtesan's selection day, if you're here, you must be among the fated ones."

"Please allow me to explain the rules briefly."

Within the Daqian borders, whether it be this Xunfang Building or any other brothel, a courtesan is always the most stunning woman in each establishment.

In Daqian's entertainment venues, there's no such thing as selling art without selling the body.

So even if it's a courtesan, her lips are sampled by countless men.

To enter her boudoir isn't to discuss music or poetry but matters between a man and a woman.

Hearing the old procuress speak, everyone quieted down, patiently waiting for her next words.

The old procuress paused for a moment, chuckling servilely with clasped hands: "Our courtesan does not love scholars, nor artists, nor wealth, but loves Jianghu heroes."

As soon as these words were spoken, laughter erupted in the hall.

"Being a courtesan, not caring for wealth or scholars but liking the coarse Jianghu people, this courtesan is indeed peculiar," one Jianghu rogue chuckled without disguising his contempt.

The old procuress wasn't bothered by the jests, only smiling apologetically: "You're right, our Xunfang Building is set in the black market, naturally catering to Jianghu people, unlike the distant Lingzhou, where silver is costly, yet the true beauty is unattainable."

The Jianghu rogue nodded, downing his wine with a single gulp.

"Your Xunfang Building, aside from the yet-seen courtesan, the others are all of exceptional looks, indeed far superior to Lingzhou's brothels."

The old procuress grinned servilely: "Of course, that's why Xunfang Building thrives in the black market."

"Everyone, the competition is simple, whoever can defeat all challengers may ascend the building to be with the courtesan."

With that, the old procuress stopped talking and explained the rules before stepping off the stage.

The stage was left empty, and the scene fell into silence.

Many Jianghu people exchanged glances, but no one stepped onto the platform.

Disguised as a man, Cheng Hong glanced around, drawing close to Qin An's ear, saying: "What do you plan to do? Want to try the platform?"

Qin An slightly turned his head, saying: "If you were dressed as a woman, seducing my ear would be quite striking, but you show such a feminine demeanor yet dress as a man, it's indeed incongruous."

Cheng Hong's lips twitched slightly.

She always felt Qin An's thoughts were sometimes abnormal.

But she also knew that the earlier display had indeed revealed some feminine charm, lacking masculine spirit.

Thinking of this, Cheng Hong stepped back a bit before asking, "Going up or not?"

The rules were set, and if they didn't participate, wouldn't it be for nothing?

Qin An glanced at the platform and said calmly: "No rush."

If he went up now, he'd consecutively face others' challenges.

Why not wait until someone goes up and is about to decide the victory, then go up?

He had the Thousand-legged Cave's bloodline positioning method, and once he used his True Qi, the Thousand-legged Cave would locate him.

But Qin An thought, using True Qi at this moment didn't matter.

Being in the black market, with so many mountain guard silvers around, if the black market wasn't aware, Qin An would never believe it.

Since that's the case, might as well play openly.

As Qin An and Cheng Hong conversed, finally someone moved.

A Jianghu person wielding twin axes ascended the platform, not uttering a word, but the intent was clear.

Once he stepped forward, another Jianghu person immediately stood on the opposite side of the platform.

After exchanging names, the fight began.

Qin An sat below, leisurely observing with Cheng Hong.

The strength of these two Jianghu people was not high, at most in the Body-Storage Realm; they hadn't even reached the Jade Bone Realm.

At such a level, within the Evil Extermination Bureau, they could only serve as low-ranking officers.

In Qin An's view, their fight resembled children playing casually, failing to arouse his interest.

Afterwards, about half an incense stick later, the Jianghu person wielding double axes won the victory.

But then, people began stepping onto the ring one after another.

The rankings on the ring started to change constantly.

Although Xunfang Building was bustling, the Jianghu people who arrived today did not fill the seats.

Until a person holding a long sword defeated his opponent, no one else stepped forward.

Qin An felt the vibration of the silver plate on his chest and narrowed his eyes slightly.

"These guys have a good plan."

The person standing on the ring was exuding the strength of the Returning to Storage Realm.

Because of this, no one continued to step forward.

This person naturally caused a reaction from the silver plate on Qin An's chest, and he was obviously the Evil Extermination Bureau's patrol silver official.

Cheng Hong chuckled quietly and said: "Someone is willing to be the first bird, which saves trouble. They naturally don't want to show themselves, since no one knows whether the following clues will be useful."

Qin An smiled slightly: "In that case, we don't need to show ourselves either."

Earlier, he was contemplating whether to reveal his position, but now it seems completely unnecessary.

Since a patrol silver official is willing to take action to find clues, they just need to wait for this silver official to enter.

As for how to obtain clues, naturally, they have their methods.

Thinking of this, Qin An scanned the surroundings again, lightly tapping the table with his fingers.

The patrol silver official's strength in the Returning to Storage Realm was naturally unmatched by these Jianghu people.

No one was willing to step onto the ring anymore.

Not long after, the steward stepped forward, announced the final winner, and respectfully said.

"Please, this honored guest, follow me to the second floor's chamber."

The chosen patrol silver official nodded slightly without wasting words and headed to the second floor via the stairs.

At this time, many people stood up and quietly left Xunfang Building.

Qin An rose and said: "Let's go."

Cheng Hong naturally knew what Shen Bai was planning, and without any fuss, followed Qin An out of Xunfang Building.

...

After the two left Xunfang Building, they came to a secluded alley beside it.

At this moment, more than a dozen ordinary-dressed people were gathered there.

As Qin An approached, the silver plate on his chest trembled continuously.

Everyone exchanged glances, understanding each other's intentions without speaking.

Then, silhouettes soared into the air in the alley, flying like hawks into the second-floor window of Xunfang Building.

At this time, inside the chamber, a plump, beautiful woman was gently playing a pipa.

Her movements, as she plucked and pressed the strings, exuded charm.

The patrol silver official sitting across was seated solidly, his expression calm as water.

The courtesan, seeing this anomaly, showed a lingering expression and said resentfully: "Since the young master has entered the chamber, why not drink and revel with me?"

The patrol silver official's mouth curled up in a cold smile, saying: "I would indeed like to enjoy your charms, but I have no hobby of cohabiting in public view."

"In public view?"

The courtesan displayed a trace of confusion on her face and said in surprise: "Why would we be in public view? It's just you and me here."

The patrol silver official glanced around and said: "We're discussing important clues, the stage is set, yet you all don't want to reveal yourselves? Making me take the lead, truly a group of good colleagues."

As these words provoked, the window suddenly opened.

Then, more than a dozen patrol silver guards appeared, gracefully landing from the window.

They landed silently, not disturbing those outside the chamber.

Qin An was also there.

This is the idea everyone holds.

Since someone revealed themselves, they might as well join in searching for this information.

Although a bit unscrupulous, the person taking the lead can't impede colleagues from investigating information.

The patrol silver official showed a somewhat helpless expression when seeing many colleagues enter.

The courtesan, on the other hand, instantly turned pale with fright, preparing to shout.

At this moment, Cheng Hong moved swiftly, stepping forward, extending her finger to press on the courtesan's shoulder.

True Qi passed through the finger into the courtesan's body, suppressing her entirety.

Cheng Hong said coldly: "Don't panic, if you cry out, fear for your life."

At this point, a chilling murderous aura exuded from Cheng Hong, permeating like frost through the bones.

Despite her being charming and attractive, she was indeed a patrol silver official.

Sitting in the position of a patrol silver official not only meant being a master in the Returning to Storage Realm but also having hands stained with much blood.

The courtesan's lips trembled, opening her mouth widely but unable to make a sound.

Her eyes contained not only a hidden panic but also an even more prominent expression of determination.

This look was immediately caught by Cheng Hong.

Cheng Hong sneered: "There really is a secret; if you speak today, you can protect yourself, but if not, your life may end immediately."

The courtesan showed a bitter smile and said: "If the guest wants to take my life, then take it without further words."

Cheng Hong frowned.

Ordinary women would be extremely frightened by her threat.

But the courtesan's face showed a determination that was not feigned.

This level of determination Cheng Hong had seen before, and even if subjected to severe punishment, it might be impossible to extract any information.

The other patrol silver guards exchanged looks, seeing a trace of difficulty in each other's eyes.

We expected to hear information, but now it seems, this courtesan's lips are tightly sealed.

Just as everyone was feeling helpless, Qin An suddenly stepped forward, came near the courtesan, and whispered a few words in her ear.

The courtesan, upon hearing, turned pale as paper.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.