Chapter 52: Hong Yan’s Good Tactics!
Chapter 52: Chapter 52: Hong Yan’s Good Tactics!
"Brother Song!" Chen Mo cupped his fists with a bright smile.
Song Yunxi’s strength was now at least at the Qi Refining Eighth Layer. While he couldn’t be considered a powerful Cultivator within the Cyan Yang Sect, he was certainly a local tyrant in the Ancient Dust Marketplace. Having someone to rely on while still weak was absolutely a wise choice. For Chen Mo, becoming sworn brothers with the man was a wonderful outcome.
The two exchanged a few more pleasantries. Just as Chen Mo was about to suggest they begin breeding the Spirit Plants, Song Yunxi spoke up first. "You and I have become sworn brothers today. Shouldn’t we celebrate properly? Come, let’s go to the Fragrance Pavilion for a few drinks!"
"How about in a couple of days?" Chen Mo was currently much more eager to get his hands on some Spiritual Sand and Spirit Stones.
"How could we do that? Do you know what day it is?"
Song Yunxi truly knew how to conduct himself. If he immediately asked Chen Mo to breed seeds for him right after they became sworn brothers, it would feel somewhat like he was using him. But taking Chen Mo to the Fragrance Pavilion again completely changed the underlying sentiment.
"Alright, I’ll follow your lead, Brother Song!"
Laughing and chatting, the two made their way across the bluestone-paved streets and arrived at the entrance of the Fragrance Pavilion. Even though the rest of the Ancient Dust Marketplace seemed somewhat desolate, business here was thriving.
The desire for food and physical intimacy was simply human nature. To avoid being controlled by the desires of the flesh and palate, the vast majority of Cultivators chose to consume Fasting Pills. However, once Loose Cultivators gained resources and status, how many could truly resist the temptation of enjoying the company of beautiful Female Cultivators? This was especially true since these Female Cultivators practiced Dual Cultivation Techniques, making every single one of them incredibly stunning!
Standing outside the door was still the same glamorous Female Cultivator named Hong Yan. Beneath her heavy makeup, she possessed a distinctly mature allure. The moment she saw Song Yunxi, her face lit up with a radiant smile and she hurried over to greet him.
"Shopkeeper Song, Yun Rou has been constantly talking about you these past few days. You’ve finally arrived."
"This is my sworn brother. Make sure you entertain him well later." Song Yunxi didn’t hide anything, directly stating Chen Mo’s identity.
Just what kind of person was Hong Yan? From taking clients in her youth as a Qi Refining First Layer Female Cultivator, to her current position at the Qi Refining Third Layer solely responsible for greeting guests, what kind of man hadn’t she seen? What social niceties didn’t she understand?
Judging by his attire, this Cultivator before her was nine times out of ten a Spirit Plant Cultivator. Song Yunxi, after all, was the shopkeeper of a grain store. Rumor had it that he even had the backing of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. His status was far beyond what a mere Spirit Plant Cultivator could latch onto. Yet, Song Yunxi openly referred to such an inconspicuous Spirit Plant Cultivator as his sworn brother. This man was definitely not as simple as he appeared!
"Fellow Daoist Chen! So you still remember how to find your way here!" Hong Yan took the initiative to step forward, pressing her body close to Chen Mo’s as she spoke with mock anger. "Over the past year, I haven’t heard the end of Yu Xi talking about you."
It had been a year, yet she still remembered him. It was clear that this Female Cultivator greeting guests at the door was an absolute master of human interaction!
Chen Mo chuckled dismissively and followed Song Yunxi into the Fragrance Pavilion with a smile. Just like last year, the main hall was primarily for drinking and casual chatting. To partake in more intimate entertainment, one had to enter the private rooms upstairs.
"Earth Character Room Two! Two honored guests!" Hong Yan called out loudly.
A moment later, Yun Rou and Yu Xi walked out with practiced coordination. Each woman wrapped her arms around a man, leading them upstairs.
As for Hong Yan? She quickly made her way to the back kitchen. After searching around, she finally found Yin Zheng huddled in a corner. His face was haggard, and he was as thin as a rake, looking as if he could breathe his last at any moment. She delivered a kick to his chest, the force calculated perfectly. It was just enough to knock him over without breaking his ribs.
At this point, Yin Zheng was practically a living dead man. Over the past two years or so, the Spiritual Qi in his body had dried up, and his physical form had entered a state of irreversible decay. He could die at any moment. He had already accepted his fate, even contemplating ending it all himself. But his innate thirst for survival prevented him from making that final resolve.
"Go on, your friend is here. Aren’t you going to deliver the wine?"
"Friend? I... I have a friend?"
SMACK!
Hong Yan stomped her foot onto Yin Zheng’s face, sneering coldly, "I was just using a figure of speech. What right do you have to be anyone’s friend? Now, get lost and do your job!"
A figure suddenly surfaced in Yin Zheng’s mind. It was the very man who hadn’t hesitated to hook up with an old woman! Chen Mo! He actually wasn’t dead!
"Hurry up and go!"
Gritting his teeth, Yin Zheng shakily picked up a tray of Spirit Wine and stumbled out. He was in this state entirely because of that man! He hated the Fragrance Pavilion, and he hated this Female Cultivator named Hong Yan, but most of all, he hated his former neighbor!
Why?! Why did he get to live so well, even coming to the Fragrance Pavilion to drink and sleep with Female Cultivators? While he could only act as a dog for others here!
Yin Zheng had originally thought that since he was already a living dead man, he wouldn’t feel any more emotions. But the moment he laid eyes on Chen Mo, the seed of anger buried deep in his heart erupted once again. Holding the tray, he bit down hard on his lower lip, his cloudy eyes glaring fixedly at the other man.
"What are you doing?" Song Yunxi demanded in a low, stern voice. He was clearly very displeased with the old servant’s behavior.
Chen Mo frowned at the man. His face looked somewhat familiar, but he couldn’t quite remember who he was.
"Put it down and get lost!"
"Yin Zheng?" Chen Mo finally recognized him.
"Why aren’t you dead..."
SWISH!
Before Yin Zheng could finish his sentence, a long whip lashed out from behind him, rapidly coiling around his neck and violently hoisting him into the air. Immediately after, Hong Yan stepped into view, her expression entirely devoid of warmth.
"Courting death!"
The whip constricted tighter and tighter. Blood rushed rapidly to Yin Zheng’s head, and his hands scrambled desperately at the leather, trying to pry it loose. However, in his current wretched state, was such a feat even possible?
"Urk... save... me..."
CRACK!
A crisp sound echoed through the room. Yin Zheng’s neck snapped cleanly, and he died in an instant. Hong Yan unceremoniously tossed the corpse out the door. Instantly, her face shifted, adopting an overtly flattering smile. "My apologies! I am so sorry. I accidentally let a dead dog ruin the mood for you two gentlemen."
Accidentally? This entire spectacle had been single-handedly orchestrated by Hong Yan! Or rather, from the moment she first saw Chen Mo last year, she had begun laying the groundwork for this very scene today. The only reason she had allowed Yin Zheng to live this long was to put on this exact performance!
In Hong Yan’s eyes, what did men love the most? It was nothing more than strength, status, and women. Watching someone who once shared your social standing now wallowing in a pathetic state—the intense satisfaction derived from that was not something an ordinary woman could provide!
Chen Mo more or less saw through Hong Yan’s intentions. He turned to Song Yunxi and asked, "I wonder if I might invite Miss Hong Yan for a drink?"
Song Yunxi was also an incredibly astute person. As someone who could match wits with Hong Yan, how could he fail to understand what was going on?
"Ah, Brother Chen! That will depend entirely on your own capabilities! Hong Yan hasn’t sat down to entertain a guest in ten years. Even I can’t persuade her."
"Don’t be ridiculous!" Hong Yan shot him a theatrical eye roll. Casually tossing the long whip to Yu Xi, she took the initiative to sit down right next to Chen Mo.
She raised her wine cup, signaling a toast. Their cups clinked, and they drained their drinks in one gulp! This graceful exchange gave Song Yunxi a tremendous amount of face!
Outside the door, someone would naturally deal with Yin Zheng’s corpse. Inside the room, cups clinked and wine flowed freely.
Compared to Yun Rou and Yu Xi, Hong Yan’s age obviously put her at a disadvantage. But the rich experience and distinctive charm of a mature woman lent her an added layer of magnetic appeal. That night, Song Yunxi once again embraced Yun Rou and retreated to the inner room. Meanwhile, Chen Mo drank and conversed with Hong Yan until dawn.