"Don't be nervous. Today, big brother will show you the world."
Chu Xingchen walked with steady steps, a smile on his face as he spoke to Xu Jin beside him.
Xu Jin didn’t respond, allowing Chu Xingchen to take some verbal liberties with him.
What kind of world hadn’t he seen before? What novelty could there possibly be in visiting a brothel to listen to music?
It was nothing more than pitiful women lamenting their misfortunes.
This establishment knew how to respect its wealthy guests. Shanghua wasn’t made to perform the entire piece—she hurried offstage as soon as the song ended.
A thousand taels of gold was still a heavy sum to carry.
The mature woman leading the way swayed her hips enticingly as she walked ahead, yet she didn’t turn back to say a word.
Unfortunately, neither of the two men behind her spared her a glance.
Chu Xingchen’s gaze swept across the room as his system scanned the visible crowd.
But after spotting two odd characters among them, he quickly lost his appetite.
Xu Jin was also looking around, sensing the approximate location of spiritual energy while searching for anything unusual.
Since entering Banruo City, they hadn’t seen a single Buddha statue.
This place seemed to exist entirely outside the influence of the Buddhist sects.
"Gentlemen, we’ve arrived."
The woman stopped in front of an elegant private room, her face breaking into a fawning, submissive smile.
"Shanghua is waiting inside."
Chu Xingchen withdrew his gaze, gave a slight nod, and instinctively knocked on the door first.
After a brief hesitation, a soft voice answered from within:
"Please come in."
With permission granted, Chu Xingchen pushed the door open and entered, Xu Jin following close behind.
Shanghua stood beside a small round table, her face still veiled—but in the next moment, her peach-blossom eyes widened in shock.
Two men had walked in together, one after the other.
What was this about?
Seeing Shanghua’s startled expression, Chu Xingchen immediately understood the situation.
This invitation likely hadn’t come from Shanghua herself. Instead, the brothel had used her to reel in a big-spending patron like him.
Thinking back, it made sense—the madam had approached him with Shanghua’s message while she was still playing onstage.
Chu Xingchen remained calm, casually taking a seat at the round table and pulling Xu Jin down beside him.
"Let’s start with some tea."
Shanghua snapped out of her daze and mechanically began preparing the tea, her mind racing for ways to handle the two men.
Wealthy and influential men were not people she could afford to offend.
Nor was she here to offend them.
Chu Xingchen’s eyes swept the room once more before he raised an eyebrow at Xu Jin—Is there anything off about this place?
Xu Jin gave a slight shake of his head, signaling that all was normal.
Satisfied, Chu Xingchen turned his attention back to Shanghua as she started brewing the tea and began his line of questioning:
"Your musical style doesn’t seem native to the Western Ox Continent. Your teacher must be from another land?"
Shanghua’s voice was quiet. "Yes… though he never said exactly where."
Chu Xingchen smiled. "To be honest, my friend and I aren’t from the Western Ox Continent either."
"I can tell. The two young masters carry an air of refinement."
Shanghua gently adjusted the small flame beneath the kettle.
She wasn’t a cultivator and couldn’t control fire, so heating tea required an actual flame.
Brewing tea this way was usually done with slender twigs, carefully selected for their fruity aroma, adding a touch of rustic charm.
Naturally, such a method required ventilation.
But the private room was spacious, with an open window on the left side offering a view of an artificial hill.
Chu Xingchen asked with feigned curiosity:
"My friend and I originally came from Ten Thousand Buddha City. The temples there are truly unmatched. We’d heard of Banruo City and assumed, given the name, that it would be another Buddhist stronghold. Yet after entering, we haven’t seen a single statue—just an unusually secular atmosphere."
Shanghua lifted her gaze to Chu Xingchen, thinking for a moment before replying:
"I’ve heard it was once a Buddhist city, though I never saw it myself. I suppose even the Buddha must leave some land for worldly affairs."
Chu Xingchen chuckled in amusement. "A fair point."
Shanghua nodded slightly before suddenly saying:
"Thank you, young master, for helping me earlier."
Though two men had entered together, and she hadn’t known who to expect, the moment Chu Xingchen spoke, she recognized his voice.
"That matter had nothing to do with you," Chu Xingchen said dismissively. "I simply couldn’t stand by and watch."
Shanghua paused, taken aback, but quickly replied:
"Regardless, I am grateful."
"No need. If anything, I’m the one intruding." Chu Xingchen watched as the water neared boiling.
"I know inviting me here wasn’t your idea. But in this world, we often do things against our will. Some burdens are too heavy to refuse."
Shanghua picked up a handful of tea leaves and dropped them into the pot.
"Life is like tea—bitter first, sweet after."
Though that sweetness was likely just wishful thinking from those who came before.
Shanghua didn’t believe a man who could casually toss out a thousand taels, backed by powerful connections, had any right to speak of burdens.
If his life was hardship, then hers might as well be death.
Still, he wasn’t bad-looking, and he was sharp enough to read between the lines—at least he didn’t start spouting presumptuous nonsense right away.
First impressions counted for something.
Chu Xingchen’s face lit up as if he’d found a kindred spirit. He reached for his waist and, after a moment, placed another thousand-tael gold note on the table.
"Your words resonate with me. I’ve heard you’re a courtesan of pure reputation. This may not be enough to buy your freedom, but it should ensure you’re left undisturbed for a while—enough to plan for the future."
His tone was earnest as he continued: "Consider this a gesture between honorable friends. Don’t refuse. If anyone asks, you can say I demanded it, and I’ll confirm it."
Shanghua stared at the gold note, a mix of revulsion and longing in her heart.
Money had shackled her life and crushed her dreams.
Yet only money could set her free.
"Thank you, young master."
Her voice was barely audible, as if ashamed of her own actions. After a moment of silence, she quickly poured the brewed tea for both men.
Xu Jin remained expressionless, not touching his cup, as if deaf to their conversation.
Whatever nonsense Chu Xingchen spouted, as long as the job got done, it didn’t matter.
Chu Xingchen rose slowly. "I won’t drink the tea today. I’ll have it next time, when you truly wish to serve it. You’ve had enough worries for one evening—I won’t impose further."
Shanghua watched as Chu Xingchen left without even tasting the tea, dropping the gold note and walking away after just a few words.
Instinctively, she wanted to call out, to stop him.
But Chu Xingchen merely patted Xu Jin’s shoulder and strode out without hesitation.
For a moment, she found herself speechless.
Then the door opened and closed, leaving her alone once more.
Chu Xingchen stepped outside to find the escort still waiting.
Seeing him emerge so quickly, the woman couldn’t hide her surprise and immediately began speaking.
Chu Xingchen pressed a hundred-tael silver note in front of her mouth.
"I need lodging—two refined rooms, close to Miss Shanghua. Don’t ask what you shouldn’t, and don’t say what you shouldn’t."
With a slight raise of his brow, a hint of roguish amusement played at the corners of his lips.
"Make me happy, and you’ll be rewarded. Do your job well, and you won’t be left out either."
"Spread the word—I don’t like people who can’t read the room ruining my mood."
The woman arched an eyebrow, accepted the silver note with a delicate motion, and gave a silent nod.
Chu Xingchen seemed even more pleased. He pulled out another hundred-tael note and placed it in her hand.
"Lead the way—the finest rooms you have."
Without a word, the woman took the second note with the same graceful ease and continued guiding them forward.
The moment she turned away, the playful smirk faded from Chu Xingchen’s face. He glanced at Xu Jin, raising an eyebrow—Well? How’s that for a move?
Xu Jin said nothing, watching as Chu Xingchen recklessly spent his money and still had the nerve to smirk at him.
But… it was effective.
At the very least, it gave them a plausible excuse for any unconventional actions, without arousing suspicion. The motive was clear, the reasoning sound.
And there was more to it.
Xu Jin observed the woman’s swaying gait as she walked ahead.
Not that he had any interest in women like her. As a core disciple of the Eighteen Immortal Sects, he had long abandoned such base indulgences.
But people with desires were easier to manipulate—tools to be wielded, eyes and ears to uncover secrets otherwise out of reach.
This woman, with her deliberate sway, was one such piece. So was Shanghua, who had served him tea earlier.
With their cover already at risk, this method, though slow, was the only option left.
Steady and meticulous—that was how one climbed higher.
For now, at least, Xu Jin had to admit Chu Xingchen’s efficiency and approach were impressive.
All the groundwork laid in just a single day.