439: Prince Duan, please have mercy and leave us some...

"Miss Dongfang, isn't wearing a veil like this a bit lacking in sincerity?" Duan Zhengchun said with a smile, looking at Miss Dongfang.

"My apologies, Young Master Duan. I made a vow long ago that I would only reveal my true face to the person who truly moves my heart."

"It's not that Young Master Duan cannot see my face. If Young Master Duan's poetry and music can satisfy me, not only will you see my face, but even if you wanted to do something else, I wouldn't refuse." Miss Dongfang wore a troubled expression, not daring to look at Duan Zhengchun.

"Since that's the case, then let's give it a try."

"It just so happens I have inspiration. Little Xiaoji, fetch the Erhu," Duan Zhengchun said to Lu Xiaofeng.

"Huh? Erhu? Young Master, are you serious?" Lu Xiaofeng was stunned, looking at Duan Zhengchun uncertainly.

"What? Is there a problem?" Duan Zhengchun raised an eyebrow, looking at Lu Xiaofeng.

"No, no problem. I'll go get it right away..." Lu Xiaofeng's expression changed, and he hurriedly got up to fetch the Erhu.

In a Brothel, musical instruments are naturally in ample supply, and the Erhu is a very common instrument.

Soon, the Erhu was brought over. After taking it, Duan Zhengchun tested the strings, tuned the instrument, and a piece of music that stirred the blood began to play.

As the sound rang out, it instantly shocked the entire venue. Everyone turned in unison to look at where Duan Zhengchun was seated.

"The world's winds and clouds arise from our generation,"

"Once entering the Jianghu, the years hasten their pace."

"Imperial ambitions and hegemon's schemes are but topics of laughter,"

"Nothing compares to a single bout of drunkenness in life."

"Lifting the sword, riding across, scattering ghostly rain,"

"White bones pile like mountains, startling birds to flight."

"The mortal world is like the tide, people like water,"

"One can only sigh: how many return from the Jianghu?"

The song ended, the poem concluded, and the scene fell into utter silence.

After a moment of silence lasting the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, a thunderous round of applause erupted.

"Excellent, truly excellent! This poem is spoken too well, it's far too fitting for the occasion."

Miss Dongfang's eyes shone as she looked at Duan Zhengchun. This melody and this poem matched each other perfectly.

Lu Xiaofeng and Hua Manlou stared dumbfounded at Duan Zhengchun. Hua Manlou, unable to see, could only sense the direction towards Duan Zhengchun.

Lu Xiaofeng was utterly astonished. This music and poetry were simply too powerful.

This poem fit the Jianghu too perfectly, and the melody stirred the blood upon hearing it. Wasn't this exactly the current state of the Jianghu?

Without such fervor, how could one be called a denizen of the Jianghu?

Duan Zhengchun looked at Miss Dongfang with a half-smile, and at that moment, Miss Dongfang was also looking at him.

Now, Miss Dongfang's heart was filled with shock. Whether it was the music or the poetry, this could absolutely be passed down through the ages.

This man was indeed not as simple as the rumors made him out to be.

The rumors said Duan Zhengchun was once a profligate, unlearned and without skill, until a year ago when he suddenly seemed to become a different person.

His strength soared, and his personality changed.

That's how he gained his current reputation. Originally, she thought he was only strong in martial prowess, but now it seemed he was an all-around talent.

Even poetry and literature were this impressive. It seemed that... perhaps it wouldn't be unacceptable to have something happen with such a man.

"I wonder if this can satisfy Miss Dongfang," Duan Zhengchun said with a smile, looking at her.

"If I were still unsatisfied with such lyrics and music, I'm afraid even without Young Master Duan taking action, the customers here could drown me in their spittle," Miss Dongfang said, her eyes gleaming as she looked at Duan Zhengchun.

"Their spittle doesn't have the qualifications to drown you. This prince can make you die happy," Duan Zhengchun said with a mischievous grin, looking at Miss Dongfang.

Hearing Duan Zhengchun refer to himself as 'this prince,' Miss Dongfang's pupils suddenly contracted.

Of course, she knew the identities of these three men before her. They just hadn't stated it explicitly, and she hadn't exposed them.

Now, Duan Zhengchun directly called himself 'this prince.' Could it be he had recognized her identity?

How was that possible? Even the Madam here didn't know her true identity here. She only knew her background wasn't weak, which is why she didn't dare offend her.

Could it be this guy was deliberately saying this to trick her?

Although Miss Dongfang appeared very calm, that slight, subtle change still didn't escape Duan Zhengchun's eyes.

"Prince? Could it be you are Duan Zhengchun, the Reliant King of Dali?" Miss Dongfang feigned surprise, looking at Duan Zhengchun.

"Oh? I didn't expect my reputation to be so great. Even a Brothel girl like Miss Dongfang knows of this prince's name?" Duan Zhengchun raised an eyebrow, looking at Miss Dongfang.

"Nowadays, in the Nine Provinces Continent, not to mention a mere Brothel girl like myself, even among the common folk, those who don't know of Prince's reputation are few and far between."

"It's normal for me to know. After all, most of the people who come here are from the Martial Forest, and they talk about Prince's news the most," Miss Dongfang said with a smile, looking at Duan Zhengchun.

"Hmm, that's quite true. So, has this prince satisfied Miss Dongfang?" Duan Zhengchun asked with a smile, looking at her.

He wanted to see just how long Miss Dongfang could keep up her act.

"If Prince had revealed his identity earlier, there would have been no need for all this," Miss Dongfang said, feigning shyness as she glanced at Duan Zhengchun.

Hua Manlou was speechless. Unexpectedly, he had failed.

This woman was also a common person. But thinking about it, it was normal. In the current Nine Provinces Continent, women who could resist Duan Zhengchun's charm were few and far between.

Miss Dongfang was just a Brothel girl. To receive Prince Duan's favor, she would be more than eager; how could she possibly disagree?

"Lu Xiaoji, you're truly cunning," Hua Manlou retorted with annoyance.

"What did I do? If anything, you can only blame yourself for not thinking of it," Lu Xiaofeng said, looking at Hua Manlou with a smug expression.

"Hmph, don't get too proud. If Prince hadn't revealed his identity, how could you possibly have won?"

"This is clearly Prince intentionally bestowing an Opportunity upon you," Hua Manlou's words were full of disdain, and even more so, sourness.

Hua Manlou admitted he was sour. He was truly sour.

This was the Opportunity Prince had spoken of. If he had obtained it, he could have at least improved his strength.

"Heh, that's none of your concern. I won anyway," Lu Xiaofeng said with a smug expression.

Although he couldn't see it, Hua Manlou could imagine that Lu Xiaofeng's expression was absolutely begging for a punch.

"Since that's the case, let's go," Duan Zhengchun stood up, took Miss Dongfang's hand, and headed upstairs.

Miss Dongfang didn't resist. She knew resistance was futile; she could only comply.

"Heavens, is Miss Dongfang really going to fall?"

"What do you know? What woman could be immune to Prince's charm?"

"Ah, Prince, you're leaving us no way to survive!"

"Being strong is one thing, but having such great charm too? You're simply a killer of young girls and married women."

"Ah... Since Zhou Yu was born, why was Zhuge Liang also born? Prince Duan, show some mercy! Leave some for us!"

Hearing these discussions, Miss Dongfang's face flushed with embarrassment, and her heart raced.

Somehow, she didn't feel the slightest bit of aversion; instead, she felt a little proud.

Once inside the room, Duan Zhengchun looked at Miss Dongfang with a half-smile.

"Prince, how about we have a good drink together today?" Miss Dongfang said with a smile, looking at Duan Zhengchun.

However, seeing Duan Zhengchun's expression, she couldn't help but feel something was off.

"Hmm, then, should this prince call you Miss Dongfang, or should I call you... Sect Leader Dongfang?" Duan Zhengchun said with a smile, looking at Miss Dongfang.