Spring Breeze Pavilion Ten Miles Away

Su Ji seemed to know his way around this place like the back of his hand.

It was baffling—how could someone who could get lost in an underground lava cave even with a map navigate several bustling streets without hesitation?

Yet here he was, stopping precisely in front of a five-story pavilion adorned with intricate carvings and bathed in radiant light.

"Spring Breeze Pavilion."

The signboard bore flamboyant calligraphy, and two scantily clad women stood at the entrance, waving silk handkerchiefs at passersby, their coquettish laughter ringing through the air.

Su Jiu’s cheeks flushed crimson in an instant, and she instinctively took a step back.

But Su Ji grabbed her wrist with an unyielding grip.

"We’re already here. What’s there to fear?"

He strode forward without hesitation, pulling out two low-grade spirit stones from his robe and pressing them into the hands of the welcoming women.

"Find us a quiet private room and bring a few well-mannered ladies to keep us company."

The women’s eyes gleamed at the sight of the faintly glowing stones, their smiles turning even more fervent.

"Oh, young master, you’ve come to the right place! Our ladies are the most refined—we’ll make sure you’re thoroughly pampered!"

One of them, a curvaceous woman with seductive eyes, swayed her serpentine waist and reached out to loop her arm around Su Ji’s.

But he sidestepped deftly, pulling Su Jiu in front of him instead.

"Lead the way."

Two words—simple, direct, and brooking no argument.

The woman’s smile faltered for a split second before she recovered, though a hint of unease flickered in her eyes.

With a sway of her hips, she guided them to the fifth floor, where the most secluded chamber awaited.

The room was elegantly furnished, with incense curling in the air. Through the latticed windows, one could even glimpse half of Anyang City’s nightscape.

"Young master, does this meet your expectations?"

"The fifth floor is reserved for our most esteemed guests."

"They say the spring breeze carries for miles."

"Here, you can survey everything within ten miles of the Spring Breeze Pavilion."

Su Ji gave a cursory glance and nodded before settling into an armchair.

The woman’s smile deepened as she leaned in, her breath fragrant.

"What kind of lady do you prefer, young master? Innocent and sweet, or fiery and bold? We have all types here."

Su Jiu stood stiffly to the side, her fists clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white.

Just as she was about to snap and drag Su Ji away, he spoke.

"Someone young. Untouched."

The words stunned not only the woman but also Su Jiu, who whipped her head up to stare at him in disbelief.

Coming to a place like this… looking for purity?

Was he out of his mind?

The woman blinked, then tittered behind her hand.

"Young master, you jest. Our Spring Breeze Pavilion deals in flesh—there are no untouched flowers here."

Su Ji frowned, displeasure flashing across his face.

"None?"

He pulled out another low-grade spirit stone, flipping it between his fingers with practiced ease.

"If not, we’ll take our business elsewhere."

The woman’s eyes darted to the stone, her smile turning sly.

"Now, now, young master, don’t be hasty. While untouched is impossible, we do have one girl who’s clean, obedient, and well-trained."

With that, she sashayed out, throwing a lingering glance at Su Ji before the door closed.

Su Jiu’s lips parted, but no words came. Her expression only grew colder.

She turned her back to Su Ji, staring out the window as if she couldn’t bear to look at him.

Moments later, the door slid open quietly.

A delicate chime of jewelry accompanied the entrance of a dancer clad in nothing but translucent gauze, carrying a lacquered tray of exquisite dishes.

Her movements were graceful, each step making the silver anklet around her slender ankle chime softly—a sound that tugged at the senses.

She set the tray down without a word, her eyes demurely lowered, then moved behind Su Ji and began kneading his shoulders with delicate fingers.

Su Jiu’s frown deepened. She was about to rebuke them when Su Ji shot her a glance, his lips silently forming:

"Follow my lead."

Her fury simmered, but she forced it down, clenching her jaw.

Su Jiu had no interest in mortal delicacies to begin with, and now, her appetite was nonexistent.

She watched coldly, waiting to see what farce Su Ji would perform next.

Su Ji leaned back, eyes closed, savoring the dancer’s skilled touch.

Without opening them, he patted the hand on his shoulder.

"How about… you stay with me tonight?"

The dancer’s lashes trembled imperceptibly. "As the young master wishes," she murmured.

Su Ji fell silent for so long that she thought he’d drifted off.

Then, suddenly, he let out a self-deprecating chuckle.

"In Great Xia, I’m a man of some standing. Many know my name, and most treat me with respect. I wouldn’t call myself all-powerful, but I’m no small figure."

The dancer gave a soft hum of acknowledgment.

"Young master carries himself like no ordinary man."

"But lately…" Su Ji shook his head, his voice tinged with unease. "I’ve always had smooth sailing, so I never noticed before. Yet here in Anyang City, something feels… off. Like a storm brewing."

"My instincts are rarely wrong."

The dancer kept her head bowed, her fingers never pausing—though their rhythm grew slightly uneven.

This wasn’t her place to speak, so she remained silent.

When no reply came, Su Ji continued, undeterred.

"Has anything strange happened in Anyang City recently?"

This time, the dancer’s hands stilled—just for a heartbeat.

Su Ji noticed.

Her fingers resumed their work, but the pressure was erratic now.

She seemed to be wrestling with herself.

Su Ji pressed further, his tone coaxing.

"Sometimes, a man just wants peace of mind. It doesn’t have to be concrete—even rumors will do."

He paused, then delivered the final lure.

"If your words prove useful… I’ll buy your freedom."

Freedom.

The word struck the dancer like thunder.

Her head jerked up, her eyes locking onto his for the first time.

Her breath hitched.

Yet her words remained cautious. "I… I’m just a woman of the pleasure house. I doubt I can help the young master…"

Su Ji said nothing. Instead, he placed another low-grade spirit stone on the table.

It glowed faintly in the candlelight.

"Is this enough to buy your freedom?"

The dancing girl's gaze was firmly locked onto that spirit stone.

She glanced at the stone on the table, then at Su Ji's face, which carried a hint of playful irreverence.

She swallowed hard, the hesitation in her eyes eventually replaced by an intense longing.

"They say this little stone is particularly good at helping people recover memories."

"Remember anything yet?"

Su Ji's voice sounded again.

The dancing girl's body trembled almost imperceptibly.

She bit her lower lip, her voice as faint as a mosquito's hum.

Cautiously, she glanced toward the door.

"It seems... I do recall a little..."

"Lately, Anyang City hasn't been very peaceful..."

"They say demons and monsters roam at night..."

"Young master should be careful when going out..."