3: Mysterious and enigmatic, the Grand Courtesan

"This subordinate's entire understanding of this world comes from my Lord," Lü Bu replied truthfully.

"Oh? Is that so..."

The situation was much better than Xia Xuan had anticipated.

Although Lü Bu was an Heroic Spirit, he still retained his own thoughts and wisdom, which was far more valuable than a simple enforcer.

"Perhaps, in the future, I can even summon civil official Heroic Spirits to strategize for me."

The gloom before him gradually dispersed, and Xia Xuan's mood brightened considerably.

"You may withdraw."

"Yes!" Lü Bu nodded, his figure blurring and merging into nothingness, as if he had never appeared.

But Xia Xuan could still feel an invisible power constantly protecting him.

The next morning.

Xia Xuan finished washing up and, for once, began a day of arduous Cultivation.

The Innate Realm allowed for the simple activation of Innate Protective Aura, and while it couldn't yet form a solid shape, when applied to the Physical Body, it could unleash terrifying power.

With the Protective Aura flowing through his Meridians, he let out a low shout and exerted force, lifting a stone pillar weighing ten thousand catties with a single arm.

After gradually becoming familiar with the Protective Aura, Xia Xuan's full-strength punch could now deliver a force of three thousand catties, equivalent to thirty thousand catties!

It was said that with each increase in the Innate Realm, the Protective Aura would thicken, and at the ninth level, it could withstand ten thousand catties of force, easily breaking stone tablets and splitting rocks.

Dusk.

Xia Xuan finished his day of arduous Cultivation and was comfortably soaking in a hot spring.

At this moment, Wu Zhong suddenly arrived at the hot spring area and reported from behind the screen:

"Your Highness, there's been progress on Xianle Tower as you requested."

"Tell me."

His predecessor had been indifferent to the backgrounds of the various minor factions in the Imperial Capital; as the greatest wastrel, he never cared about offending anyone.

Many people disliked him, but very few dared to actually harm him.

The first task Xia Xuan assigned to Wu Zhong was to gather as much intelligence as possible.

"Yesterday, all bystanders of the Xianle Tower poisoning incident, except those cleared of suspicion, have been arrested by the Crown Prince and taken to the Minister of Justice for severe interrogation.

As for the maid who handed Your Highness the wine, she has committed suicide by poison.

She was originally a respectable person in the Imperial Capital, but her father accumulated high gambling debts, leading to her being sold to Xianle Tower to repay them.

The clues provided by the Crown Prince stated that the maid had often contemplated suicide since being sold to Xianle Tower..."

"He means that this poisoning was planned by the maid herself?"

Xia Xuan's predecessor had a bad reputation, bullying men and women, so it wouldn't be strange for someone with a death wish to drag him down.

"This subordinate respectfully disagrees."

Wu Zhong stated firmly: "The Crown Prince has his concerns; he doesn't want to blow things out of proportion and affect his position.

But what happened yesterday was far from simple; a mere maid is nothing more than someone else's pawn.

The killing intent outside the building was clearly targeted, and the black-clad man who fought with me was very likely the pawns of the mastermind."

"Furthermore, there's another suspicious point: yesterday, Your Highness and the Crown Prince drank from the same pot of wine, and others at the table also drank it. The wine was not poisoned, nor were the utensils... Everyone else was fine, yet only Your Highness was harmed."

"And on that day, Your Highness did not come into contact with any other dangerous items besides this banquet."

This was what Wu Zhong found most perplexing; he shared Xia Xuan's diet, so if there was poison, he should have been the first victim. How did the culprit manage it?

"A good analysis, it's quite perplexing."

Xia Xuan did not stint on his praise and then asked, "How much have you found out about the black-clad man's identity?"

Wu Zhong truthfully replied: "Using the arrangements the Great General left in the Imperial Capital, we found some clues. He might have some connection to the Second Prince."

"Xianle Tower also changed its staff and resumed business because it has the Second Prince as its backer."

"They still dare to open their doors to guests? They truly don't put me in their eyes!"

Xia Xuan sneered, secretly delighted. It was like someone giving him a pillow when he was sleepy.

He was just wondering how to find trouble with his good Second Brother, but he didn't expect him to completely disregard yesterday's incident.

The Second Prince of the Great Wu Dynasty, Prince Qi, titled King Qi, was very close to all the princes except the Crown Prince and had once tried to recruit Xia Xuan's predecessor.

However, he was ultimately rejected because the "price" offered was not suitable.

Even so, he still flattered Xia Xuan at every turn; whenever Xia Xuan was in his territory, all his expenses were charged to his account.

"Xianle Tower, and more than half of the Imperial Capital's pleasure houses, gambling dens, and underground banks, are all my good Second Brother's territory."

King Qi was extremely wealthy, controlling numerous pleasure dens; his financial power even surpassed that of the Crown Prince.

"Let's go, let's pay a visit to my Second Imperial Brother's Xianle Tower."

A meaningful smile appeared at the corner of Xia Xuan's mouth... Great Wu Imperial Capital, Xianle Tower.

This was a continuous complex of palaces, resplendent and magnificent, with the tallest pavilion reaching so high it seemed to pierce the clouds.

In the pleasure quarter, a subtle fragrance wafted, filled with the sounds of singing women.

Xianle Tower was the foremost among them, the number one pleasure establishment in the entire Great Wu Dynasty.

Scholars, literary figures, and Noble Families gathered here to discuss matters of romance.

Those who came and went were all dressed in fine silks.

Even the guards at the gate were two skilled Innate Realm experts, standing like door gods on either side.

"Young Master Zhao has arrived! Quickly, quickly, please come in. Miss Caiyun, whom you requested, has been waiting for you for a long time."

"Steward Li is here too! There's a major event today, I guarantee you won't be disappointed."

"Gentlemen, last night's small mishap disturbed your elegant enjoyment, and we apologize for the offense. Today, the Madam herself has personally come forward and persuaded Grand Courtesan Mu to perform a song for all of you."

The newly appointed Madam of Xianle Tower was smooth and charming, her smile as bright as a flower, greeting every customer entering the building with great enthusiasm.

A considerable stir arose among the crowds passing through the streets.

Grand Courtesan Mu was one of the four great beauties of the Imperial Capital, by no means comparable to the common courtesans of ordinary pleasure houses.

Normally, she was treasured by Xianle Tower like a precious gem; even high-ranking officials and nobles had to show her three points of respect.

There were those who had spent a fortune yet found it difficult to catch a glimpse of her beauty.

This Courtesan was very capricious; she would only appear when she was in a good mood, and if she wasn't, no one could persuade her.

It was this unattainable haughtiness that made a large group of wastrel Disciples in the Imperial Capital, as well as scholars and refined gentlemen who enjoyed listening to music in brothels, itch with desire, coming every day to try their luck, wishing they could just move their homes there.