Chapter 12

“Alright . “

Lady Chen Shuang nodded in excitement . She never imagined Qin Yun to understand her so well . She was afraid that he would leave in anger .

“By the way, while I was outside, I heard about the Courtesan Belle selection,” said Qin Yun with a smile . “Are you participating in it?”

“Yea, Brother Yun, although the sisters in Swallow Phoenix Brothel treat each other as companions, there are still some open and veiled contentions . ” Lady Chen Shuang said with a smile, “Also, with the other renowned courtesans from other brothels, we would also compete with them . I’m also not someone who will easily back down and admit defeat, so naturally, there will be some strife . “

Qin Yun chuckled . “Where there are people, there is strife . Even among renowned courtesans in brothels, strifes are still as intense . “

“It’s far more intense than other places . “

Lady Chen Shuang smiled and continued, “After all, the greater one’s reputation is, the more money it entails . The competition between us naturally becomes more intense . Furthermore, many renowned courtesans have someone wealthy backing them . This makes the competition even more intense . On the surface, we are amiable sisters but there is no lack of the gnashing of teeth in the dark! Brother Yun, don’t you think that such strife is rather interesting?”

“As long as you are happy . ” Qin Yun laughed as well .

…

Qin Yun and Lady Chen Shuang engaged in idle banter and talked about the days in the brothel . Qin Yun also simply recounted some interesting tidbits of his travels out in the world .

“Alright, it’s about time I go . I have already extended my stay for more than an hour . ” Qin Yun got up . Swallow Phoenix Brothel had given Qin Yun face and had not disturbed him .

“Brother Yun, there’s no need for you to come see me in the future . It costs you . When I’m free, I’ll go to Qin Manor in the day . ” Lady Chen Shuang said while beaming . “Auntie Xue, please send Brother Yun down . “

“Take care of yourself . Come to me if you suffer any grievances . ” Qin Yun got up and said with a laugh .

Following that, he walked out with Auntie Xue .

Lady Chen Shuang walked to the door and silently watched Qin Yun leave .

******

Swallow Phoenix Brothel’s main building .

On the way out, Qin Yun asked, “Auntie Xue, please immediately tell me if anything happens to Little Shuang . I know that it cannot be helped that there will be trouble encountered by renowned courtesans in such a complicated place . The ancients talk about alcohol, sex, wealth, and temper as the four troubles . Sex alone has led many to lose their minds, losing their lives in the process as well . “

“I know . We have always been very careful . Swallow Phoenix Brothel’s protection has also been very good . There are still others from the older generation from the escort company that are willing to stick to Little Shuang . ” Auntie Xue added .

“Alright . “

Qin Yun nodded and walked to where Tian Bo was . “Little Bobo, let’s go . “

“Aren’t we watching any longer?” Tian Bo was still listening to the melody performed onstage .

“No . ” Qin Yun urged .

“Alright then . ” Tian Bo grabbed two servings of dessert and stuffed it into his mouth before holding another two in hand . “There’s so much left uneaten . “

Qin Yun and Tian Bo walked out .

There were many guests that looked at Qin Yun with reverence . The Liu family’s Young Master Liu Qi had been thrown down the building by Qin Yun . The sword beam that served as a threat had been seen by them, so they knew he was an immortal cultivator .

‘Young Master Qin, Young Master Tian . This way please . ” The old procuress said warmly . The moment they stepped out the door, the servants outside were already waiting with their horses in rein .

“Auntie Xue, go back in . ” Qin Yun said with a smile . Following that, he mounted the horse and left with Tian Bo .

Auntie Xue watched from afar .

“It appears Lady Chen Shuang will have good days ahead of her,” joked the old procuress . “Probably no one will dare bully her openly . By the way, Sister Xue, what relationship does she have with Young Master Qin?”

Auntie Xue chuckled . “Childhood friends!”

Following that, she turned to return to Swallow Phoenix Brothel .

“Childhood friends?” The old procuress waited till Auntie Xue was a distance away before she scoffed . “If that were true, why would he let her stay here in a brothel? He would have taken her back to his manor . He’s probably only humoring her . “

…

Qin Yun and Tian Bo returned on horseback .

“How was your chat with Sister Xie Shuang? Were you able to resolve her indenture contract?” asked Tian Bo . “After all, the price of the contract is nearly twenty thousand taels of silver . It’s difficult to settle that even for a cultivator like you, right?”

The cool evening breeze blew across their faces .

Qin Yun shook his head gently and said, “She did not sell herself to the brothel . It’s only an ordinary contract . I have already confirmed it with Swallow Phoenix Brothel . Just don’t spread this piece of news . “

“It’s not an indentured contract?” Tian Bo was alarmed . “Then why didn’t you bring her out of there?”

Qin Yun said, “She is now a courtesan after all . Even if she leaves it, there’s no way she can be married to a distinguished family to be their principal wife . She is unwilling to become a concubine and weaker families are unable to protect her… She told me that her days in the brothel are rather good . She feels that she would be happier living there than living alone in the deep recesses of a manor . Since Little Shuang is happy, I’ll just leave it to her . Furthermore, hers is an ordinary contract . She can leave at any time . “

“If she can leave, why is she staying in the brothel?” Tian Bo could not help but ask, “Brother Yun, you must be silly . “

“Humans live less than a hundred years so why should one consider how others view them? As long as she’s happy there,” said Qin Yun .

“However, it’s still a questionable place,” said Tian Bo . “How can you watch Sister Xie Shuang remain in there? Regardless of anything, she should be taken away from there . You can’t be at the mercy of her temper . “

“Do you look down on renowned courtesans?” Qin Yun looked at Tian Bo .

Tian Bo felt stifled before saying, “From my point of view, she is bedazzled by the opulent ways of living . Her innocent heart has been marred by the countless courting of the guests . She can’t return and doesn’t wish to return . “

Qin Yun remembered the look in Little Shuang’s eyes .

“She isn’t bedazzled or has had her heart marred,” said Qin Yun .

******

And back in Swallow Phoenix Brothel .

Auntie Xue passed through the main building and along the corridor to the east building to return to Lady Chen Shuang’s room .

“Auntie Xue . ” Lady Chen Shuang was sitting there, silently writing calligraphy . “Has Brother Yun left?”

“Yes, he has gone back . ” Auntie Xue said, “Little Shuang, why don’t you return with Qin Yun and lead a peaceful life?”

“No!”

Lady Chen Shuang said softly, “I will never forget the grudge of my brother! I will never forget the hundreds of men who lost their lives at the escort company! There is no way I can lead a peaceful life!”

“Then, why didn’t you tell Qin Yun the truth? The deaths of your brother and the hundreds of men at the escort company were not only because of demons . Instead, it was because of the Baili family from East Gong County that instigated the demons to commit murder . ” Auntie Xue said anxiously, “The Baili family is too powerful . Furthermore, Qin Yun has finally knocked open the gate of immortality . He is already an immortal cultivator . With him aiding you, there is a greater chance of you getting your revenge . “

“Baili family . ” Chen Shuang’s eyes flashed with a cold glint .

Demons wrecked havoc in the world .

However, there were some powerful family clans that colluded with demons! They would commit murder or rob under the guise of demon assaults .

“The Baili family is East Gong County’s largest family clan . It has roots that run deep . Even the local county governor dreads it . The county governor changes but the Baili family remains immutable . ” Lady Chen Shuang whispered, “The Patriarch of the Baili family is a powerful cultivator at the Congenital True Core realm who has lived for more than two centuries . The Baili family is deeply rooted in an intricate mess . Many demons are subservient to it . “

“My Brother Yun has only just knocked open the gate of immortality so how can he be its match? If I ask for his help, I’m only attracting trouble for him . I’ll be harming him!”

“I have already lost one brother . I cannot lose my last one . “

Lady Chen Shuang said softly, “Let’s act according to the original plans . Sex itself is a formidable asset . There have been historical accounts of how beauties have caused harm to a family clan or an entire city . There are even countries that succumbed because of a beauty! I do not wish to fall a country nor do I wish to destroy a city . The Baili family is only one family clan . I do not believe that I can’t deal with it using all I have . “

“Little Shuang, it’s not too late to regret it now, even if you do not tell Qin Yun now . Just wait till Qin Yun has the power to help you in the future . It wouldn’t be too late to tell him then . If you continue on this path, you will only sink deeper . I’m afraid you will end up not being able to turn back forever . ” Auntie Xue said hurriedly . Her heart pained for Xie Shuang as she watched her walk down such a treacherous path .

“Since the day I entered Swallow Phoenix Brothel, the person Xie Shuang no longer exists, only Chen Shuang—the renowned courtesan, Chen Shuang . ” Lady Chen Shuang continued writing and did not speak further .

Auntie Xue shook her head slightly .

She had often persuaded her but she had never managed to waver Chen Shuang’s resolve .

“Brother Yun . ” Lady Chen Shuang revealed a faint smile as she muttered softly, “Seeing you come back is truly nice . “