You Have Discovered

Zhao Ke wasn't clear on what was happening in the inn, but he had heard the ear-splitting scream.

However, Zhao Ke had lost interest in Xiong Da. But he thought about how much of a shock it would be for Xiong Da to realize the pot he ate was bear meat, and if it would drive him mad.

Thinking of this, Zhao Ke felt a small sense of anticipation.

According to the innkeeper, he was to head north up the slope. On the way, Zhao Ke made a few inquiries, and the passersby gave him knowing smiles as they pointed the way.

Following the mountain path upwards, he soon saw the so-called Zhuangyuan Tower.

It was just completely different from what he had imagined.

From the innkeeper's words, he had understood Zhuangyuan Tower to be a place of romance and pleasure. Even if it didn't have colorful lanterns hanging everywhere like in the TV shows, there should at least be a few women standing outside to receive guests.

However, what stood before him was less like a tower and more like a temple gate.

"Did the innkeeper trick me?"

The temple before him didn't match the description of the alluring establishment the innkeeper had mentioned. Zhao Ke couldn't help but wonder if the innkeeper was deliberately deceiving him.

Seeing this, he felt a bit disappointed. He had just wanted to see what an ancient brothel was like, but it turned out to be a wasted trip.

"Guest, why pass by without entering? Do you perhaps find our establishment too small?"

Just as Zhao Ke was about to turn and leave, an old cultivator hurried forward. The old cultivator looked to be in his fifties, with kind eyes and a gentle demeanor. He held a thick booklet in his right hand and a pen in his left.

However, his attire was neither that of a monk nor a Taoist priest, appearing rather peculiar.

It was clear he was a practitioner of some sort, but it was impossible to tell what he cultivated.

"Uh..."

Being asked this by the old cultivator, Zhao Ke felt a bit awkward. He couldn't exactly say he was here for...

Seemingly sensing Zhao Ke's embarrassment, the old cultivator simply smiled calmly. "I assume you are a scholar passing by on your way to the imperial examinations. Since you've come, it's fate. Why not come in and rest for a moment and admire the scenery within Zhuangyuan Tower?"

"Scenery?"

The old cultivator nodded earnestly. "Scenery!"

Zhao Ke met the old cultivator's gaze and immediately understood.

With his hands behind his back, he pinched and took out the remaining silver from his Post Album, about three taels, no more, no less. He had already gotten quite a bit from the innkeeper, who hadn't charged him for food or lodging, and he didn't care for this small amount of silver.

If nothing unexpected happened, he planned to return to reality soon. In reality, this kind of silver would only be worth a little over a hundred yuan.

"Master, please don't think it's too little. Consider it a token of my appreciation."

"Amitabha, Amitabha,"

The old cultivator took the silver and weighed it in his hand, estimating it to be a little over three taels. Rice prices had already risen to 40 wen per dou, and a whole ox was only worth three taels of silver. This money was enough for an ordinary family to eat for half a year.

The cultivator's face lit up with joy, his eyes nearly narrowing into slits. He quickly invited Zhao Ke inside.

"Young friend, this way please."

The old cultivator led Zhao Ke into a side room. Zhao Ke looked around; the room was quite nice, clearly a well-decorated guest room.

"Achoo!"

At that moment, he sniffed suddenly. A strong floral scent made Zhao Ke sneeze. He turned to see a woman in a long robe, who had walked in at some point.

With her wide robe, each step she took caused the hem to flutter in the wind, revealing glimpses of her fair thigh. The robe below her legs sparked endless imagination.

"Please, have some tea."

The woman held a cup of tea with both hands and knelt down, offering it to Zhao Ke. As she raised her hands, her long robe lifted, revealing a pair of delicate, fair feet, as white as jade. On her pale insteps, there was a butterfly tattoo about the size of a thumb.

Looking at the woman's face, she had a rounded, well-shaped chin, large eyes, slender eyebrows, and a cherry-like mouth – a standard beauty. Even without hair, she was still refined and alluring.

She blinked her eyes slightly at Zhao Ke, her gaze flowing with charm, her lips curved into a small mole, paired with those pink lips, making it impossible to look away.

"So it really is a brothel!!"

He had thought the innkeeper had tricked him, but he hadn't expected it to be like this.

"Guest, please have some tea."

Zhao Ke was lost in thought and didn't reach out to take it. Seeing this, the woman mistook Zhao Ke's gaze for fascination. She covered her mouth and chuckled, leaning forward slightly, almost pressing half her body against Zhao Ke. Her voice was seductive and charming, as if trying to steal his soul.

If it were an ordinary hostess, Zhao Ke wouldn't have felt much. But for a delicate female cultivator, the woman's already alluring appearance gained an added touch of enchantment. Leaning into his embrace, she was truly as graceful and captivating as flowing water.

The most significant aspect was the disparity in status. A cultivator who served deities was now presenting herself in a manner that suggested she was at his mercy. The thought alone was stimulating.

However, amidst the stimulation, Zhao Ke felt more vigilant. He hadn't forgotten where he was.

With the previous example of Li Hongbing, how could he completely let his guard down?

Seeing this, Zhao Ke reached out and took the tea, but then casually set it aside, seemingly not intending to drink it.

However, the woman suddenly pulled the tea back into her embrace and said, "Benefactor, do you find the tea too hot? Or shall I feed it to you?"

As she spoke, the woman brought the tea up, but just as it was before Zhao Ke, he raised his eyebrows, opened his mouth, and sneezed directly at the woman's face.

It was unclear whether it was snot or tea, but along with the tea leaves, it all sprayed onto the woman's face.

"Sorry, I'm a bit allergic to pollen," Zhao Ke said, looking embarrassed.

The woman, however, was sprayed in the face with tea and froze for a moment, unsure whether to laugh or get angry. Her mouth twitched, and though she tried to hide it, Zhao Ke saw the venomous glint deep in her eyes.

Seeing this, the old cultivator immediately waved for her to step aside. With a hint of apology on his face, he said, "Young friend, don't rush. There will be singing and dancing to liven things up at the banquet tonight. Please rest for a while, and you'll surely have a good time this evening."

"You're too kind, too kind," Zhao Ke replied, forcing a smile and waving his hands repeatedly.

After the old nun exchanged a few polite words, she led the woman out. As soon as they were out of the room, the woman's expression turned sinister.

She glanced sideways at Zhao Ke's room, parted her red lips slightly, and a long, slender tongue flicked out, licking away the tea and saliva from her face. She wiped her mouth, smiled, and strode away behind the old cultivator.

"Interesting!"

After seeing off the two cultivators, one old and one young, Zhao Ke sat back down in his chair. The awkward expression on his face gradually faded. He narrowed his eyes, tapped his fingers lightly on the table, and recalled the woman's cold eyes. A sense of vigilance washed over him as he thought, It seems this place isn't exactly a haven.

After resting for a while, someone lightly knocked on his door, summoning him to the front hall for the evening banquet.

As Zhao Ke stepped out of his room, he noticed well-dressed merchants emerging from their rooms one after another. At first glance, there were quite a few of them, though they had all been resting in their rooms earlier.

Someone walked alongside Zhao Ke, and their eyes met. They exchanged a knowing smile; everyone understood the situation.

Once everyone was seated in the front hall, a stout, burly fatty sat down next to Zhao Ke. He stared at the cultivators moving around, his eyes glazed over.

The fair white thighs flashed before his eyes, but upon closer inspection, they were hidden by long robes. Every cultivator served dishes and poured tea with dignified composure, yet they would occasionally cast a seductive glance, stirring a man's desires.

When the food and drinks were served, the old cultivator at the head of the table stood up, his expression solemn, and clasped his hands together. "Immeasurable life and longevity."

With that, the old nun waved her hand, and a line of women in long robes stepped forward, each holding a ritual implement and with hands clasped.

Clap clap...

The women lifted their legs, revealing long, fair thighs from their wide robes. Their jade-like hands gently caressed the thighs of the women beside them.

Their fingers slowly moved upward, causing everyone's eyes to widen as they stared intently.

Clap clap, clap clap, clap clap clap clap...

Figures flickered before their eyes as slender, boneless hands lightly patted the thighs, which were like fine mutton-fat jade. The movements were quick and powerful, dazzling the onlookers.

Tear!

The robes were ripped away, revealing round, full breasts beneath a pink bodice. Their slender, strong waists twisted together, not detracting from the seductive dance but rather enhancing its alluring charm.

Zhao Ke initially found it amusing, but for some reason, the more he watched, the more his vision blurred. He had the distinct feeling that the figures before him were becoming heavier.

Clap clap clap...

The slapping sound in his ears grew faster and faster. Zhao Ke felt as if he were floating, his entire body becoming light and airy.

He vaguely saw a figure approaching him. Zhao Ke didn't pay much attention at first, but when he caught a scent, his heart tightened. Those venomous eyes flashed in his mind, and he thought, It's her!

Zhao Ke's heart jolted, and a sense of danger surged through him, clearing his mind instantly.

Hoo hoo...

A warmth brushed against his ear, and moist, rosy lips pressed against his earlobe. "Guest, is my service satisfactory?"

As she spoke, Zhao Ke felt his body tighten, as if he were being enveloped by something. Her red lips then moved from his cheek to his forehead.

"Comfortable!"

Although Zhao Ke's eyes were closed, and he appeared to be in a state of bliss, his vigilance grew. His hands continuously groped the woman's body, and before he knew it, his hands had reached her neck.

At the same time, he gently bit his tongue. Through the stinging pain, his eyes slowly opened. Upon seeing the scene before him, Zhao Ke's scalp tingled. Where there had been a beauty, there was now a snake's face the size of a washbasin.

Seeing Zhao Ke's stiff expression, the snake face actually let out a sinister, eerie grin. "Eh! You found out!"

(This chapter took a long time to revise, mainly out of fear of crossing lines. I deleted, revised, and revised again, which caused the delay. Even so, I'm not entirely sure it's safe. I've done my best, dear readers.)