104: Chapter 104 The Courtesan

A few moments later.

Chen Ran's aura paused for a moment before he dispersed the bloody light in his hand.

After embedding the Blood Seed into the Wild Boar Demon's body, he withdrew his hand.

Ignoring the twitching figure before him, he walked straight out of the Heavenly Prison.

He wasn't in a hurry regarding the Yao Race talent.

Now that the Blood Seed was planted in the Yao Beast, as long as he waited for the Demon-Slaying Squad to take it away, this talent would be his sooner or later.

...

Recently, the capital had been hit by one storm after another.

First the demonic cult invasion, then the imprisonment of Yao Beasts...

Everyone in the Heavenly Prison was on edge, working non-stop for over ten days to arrest suspects and clean up the aftermath.

Now that things had finally calmed down temporarily, they had a rare few days of peace.

To reward the brothers under him, Captain Li Changfeng made a grand gesture and offered to host a treat.

The location was set at the capital's famous den of luxury—the Qunfang Pavilion.

Night fell, and the lanterns began to glow.

The capital's long streets were bustling with traffic, and the cries of street vendors were endless.

Chen Ran, dressed in casual clothes, walked beside Li Changfeng, followed by several brothers from the Demon Suppression Division.

He had also been invited, and since he had nothing to do during this time, he followed them to see the capital's nightlife.

In the group, a slick-looking veteran jailer said to a young new colleague beside him:

"Xiao Liu, let me tell you, you're in luck. Captain Li is really splurging today, inviting us brothers here to relax."

The young jailer called Xiao Liu didn't know exactly what was happening and looked puzzled.

"How are we relaxing? Are we going for a bath?"

"No, you'll understand when the time comes. we'll teach you something very pleasurable."

The veteran jailer laughed and waved his hand. "I guarantee once you've been here once, you'll definitely want to come back."

The other veteran jailers smiled without saying a word, maintaining an air of mystery about the matter.

Soon, the group arrived at the main gate of the Qunfang Pavilion.

The place was decorated with lanterns and banners, the air was filled with fragrance, and the girls welcoming guests at the door were all dressed up beautifully, giggling incessantly.

The sounds of silk and bamboo instruments drifted from within the building, exuding an atmosphere of decadence and luxury.

At the sight of this, Xiao Liu realized what kind of place this was.

His face immediately flushed red, and he stammered nervously.

"Hey, you guys didn't say we were coming here to relax!?"

"It's fine, you're a stranger the first time and an acquaintance the second. You'll understand soon enough..."

As the group reached the entrance,

A sharp-eyed madam came out to greet them.

She had been attending to several richly dressed merchants with a face full of smiles.

Those merchants were arguing heatedly over a private room, and some had even started rolling up their sleeves, ready to fight.

The madam was having a headache trying to appease them when her peripheral vision caught the faint glimpse of Li Changfeng's Demon Suppression Division waist token, and her expression instantly changed.

She immediately abandoned the merchants and, swaying her snake-like waist, hurried over.

"Oh my, masters, please come inside!" The madam bowed very low, her attitude extremely fawning.

The neglected merchants were about to lash out, but when they turned and saw the attire of Li Changfeng and the others—especially that aura of Evil Qi they carried year-round—they immediately shrunk back.

They didn't dare to utter a sound, slinking away to the side and voluntarily making a path.

In the capital, people from the Demon Suppression Division were like living Yamas; no one dared to slight them.

To offend them meant they could easily slap on a charge of colluding with demons, which could lead to a family's ruin.

"Lord Li, you are a rare guest! What brings you to our humble place today?" the madam said flatteringly as she led the way.

Li Changfeng gave a faint smile. "I've brought the brothers to relax. Arrange a good spot for us."

"Of course, of course! The private room on the second floor has been reserved for you!" The madam nodded repeatedly.

Chen Ran also followed along.

Along the way, he looked around at the environment; this was his first time entering such a place of pleasure in this life.

Inside the Qunfang Pavilion, ordinary spectators could only crowd in the first-floor hall, several people sharing a single table.

The environment was decent, but it was indeed a bit cramped.

Meanwhile, their group was personally led by the madam to a luxurious private room on the second floor with the best view.

The private room was decorated extremely lavishly, with thick Western Region carpets on the floor that felt soft to step on.

Famous paintings and calligraphy hung on the walls, and exquisite blue and white porcelain vases were placed in the corners.

High-quality sandalwood incense burned in the air, refreshing the mind.

Not only was it quiet, but several young and beautiful maids were also kneeling to the side.

Dressed in thin gauze skirts with graceful figures, they skillfully peeled grapes and filled cups with fine wine, serving with great care.

Chen Ran leaned back on a soft couch and ate a grape handed to him by a maid, the sweet juice spreading through his mouth.

He looked at the crowded hall below and felt a silent sense of realization.

"Perhaps this is why people flock to official positions."

When he was just a low-level jailer in the Heavenly Prison, he never had this kind of treatment.

Now that his strength had increased, his status had risen accordingly.

In this world, only by being strong yourself can you live like a proper human being.

Li Changfeng picked up his wine cup, took a sip, and leaned over with a smile.

"Brother Chen, you've worked hard lately. Relax well tonight."

Chen Ran raised his cup to clink with his and drained it in one go.

"Brother Feng, thank you for the treat."

"We're brothers; why use such formal words?" Li Changfeng waved his hand, then lowered his voice, his tone carrying a hint of mystery.

"Brother Chen, you're in for a treat tonight."

Chen Ran raised an eyebrow. "How so?"

"Tonight features the finale performance of the Qunfang Pavilion's courtesan." Li Changfeng pointed to the massive stage in the center below.

"This courtesan is named Ru Yan, and she is quite extraordinary and very unique."

"Oh? What kind of personality can a brothel woman have?" Chen Ran asked casually.

"She doesn't accept any wealthy or powerful person's money to be their guest," Li Changfeng explained. "Even if you brought a mountain of gold, she wouldn't see you."

Chen Ran found it somewhat amusing. "Then how does she make money?"

"She's not short on money." Li Changfeng smacked his lips. "Every night after her performance, she throws a Silk Ball once. Whoever catches it gets to spend a beautiful night with her."

Chen Ran shook his head. "There's such a rule? Isn't that just nonsense?"

"Exactly." Li Changfeng pointed at the dignitaries in the hall below who were craning their necks.

"Look at those people down there. Many are wealthy figures from the capital. Countless people wait here night after night just to try their luck."

"This Lady Ru Yan is not only devastatingly beautiful, but she's also proficient in the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting."

I heard that a few days ago, a Young Master fought someone until his head bled and even his leg was broken just to snatch her Silk Ball."

"Then she indeed seems to have quite the charm."

After hearing this, Chen Ran merely gave a faint smile and didn't take it to heart.

Perhaps because he had lived two lives, he had always lacked interest in such women of the trade.

With this free time, he might as well go back to the Heavenly Prison to interrogate a few more prisoners and gain more cultivation.

As they spoke,

Dong.

A bell chimed, and soon the sounds of excitement arrived.

The program downstairs had begun.

After several rounds of warm-up performances by dancers, the atmosphere in the hall was completely ignited.

The sounds of silk and bamboo were constant, and the dancers' flowing sleeves fluttered, drawing bursts of cheers from the audience.

The spectators' emotions were high, and they all clamored for the courtesan to appear.

"Where is Lady Ru Yan! Hurry and let Lady Ru Yan come out!"

"I've been waiting all night just to catch a glimpse of Lady Ru Yan!"

Finally, accompanied by the melodious sound of a zither, the finale arrived.

The lights in the hall dimmed, leaving only a single beam of light on the center of the stage.

The beaded curtains on the second floor were slowly pulled back.

A graceful figure descended from above, like a goddess from the Nine Heavens descending to the mortal world.

A layer of light gauze covered her face, revealing only a pair of captivating eyes that overflowed with countless charms as they glanced around.

The courtesan's figure was light as she danced gracefully to the zither music.

Her dance was extremely beautiful, every movement just right—any more would be frivolous, any less would be stiff.

As her long sleeves danced, they brought with them bursts of intoxicating fragrance.

The hall below immediately erupted; the spectators cheered wildly, their eyes filled with fervor.

"Ru Yan! Ru Yan!"

The shouts were deafening, almost enough to lift the roof off the Qunfang Pavilion.

Even the brothers from the Demon Suppression Division in the second-floor private room stared blankly, not even noticing when their wine cups tilted.

Wine spilled onto their clothes, yet they remained oblivious.

Chen Ran, however, remained calm, merely appreciating the dance quietly.

He had to admit, this woman indeed had some capital; no wonder she could enchant these men so thoroughly.

The dance ended.

The zither music stopped abruptly.

The courtesan stopped her movements, panting slightly as her chest rose and fell, adding a few more layers of temptation.

She took out an exquisite red Silk Ball from her sleeve.

The hall immediately fell silent, so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.

Everyone held their breath, staring intently at that Silk Ball, their eyes flashing with greedy light.

The courtesan's gaze shifted as she scanned the entire venue.

Then, she flicked her wrist lightly.

The Silk Ball traced a parabola through the air, heading straight for the crowd.

The floor below immediately turned into chaos as countless people with bloodshot eyes desperately stretched their arms to grab it.

"It's mine! It's mine!"

"Get lost! Don't block my way!"

For a Silk Ball, these dignitaries who usually prided themselves on being refined were now brawling like street thugs.

However, the Silk Ball twisted and turned in mid-air, constantly swaying.

Finally, it bypassed everyone and flew straight toward the second floor.

Chen Ran was quietly eating fruit, watching the farce below as if it were a play.

Suddenly, a red light flashed before his eyes.

A burst of fragrance hit him.

Slap.

The Silk Ball landed steadily in his lap.

The entire venue fell silent.

Everyone's gaze followed the trajectory of the Silk Ball and looked in unison at the second-floor private room.

After a brief silence, the hall erupted with intense envy and jealousy.

"Based on what!"

"Who is that kid? How can he be so lucky?"

"I refuse to accept this! That Silk Ball was clearly flying toward me!"

Some people wanted to cause trouble under the influence of alcohol, but someone beside them immediately held them back.

"Are you crazy? Didn't you see what they're wearing? Those are people from the Demon Suppression Division!"

Hearing the words "Demon Suppression Division," those who were shouting immediately became like ducks with their necks squeezed, unable to make a sound.

Li Changfeng was also stunned, staring blankly at the Silk Ball in Chen Ran's lap.

He rubbed his eyes, seemingly unable to believe what he was seeing.

"Brother Chen, your luck..." Li Changfeng swallowed, too surprised to speak.

The surrounding Demon Suppression Division brothers also cast envious looks.

"Brother Chen, what a stroke of romantic luck!"

"This is Lady Ru Yan's Silk Ball; many people can't get it no matter how much they beg!"

Li Changfeng was the first to snap out of it.

He patted Chen Ran's shoulder and gave a smile that every man understood.

"A moment of a spring night is worth a thousand pieces of gold. Brother Chen, enjoy yourself."

With that, Li Changfeng very tactfully waved his hand.

"Let's go, let's go. We'll go drink somewhere else. Don't disturb Brother Chen's good fortune."

He quickly led the brothers out, thoughtfully closing the door to the private room behind them.

In the blink of an eye, Chen Ran was the only one left in the large private room.

Chen Ran looked down at the red Silk Ball in his lap, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"The courtesan choosing someone personally... this is quite interesting..."