You Have Been Discovered

Zhao Ke wasn't clear on what was happening in the inn, but he did hear that ear-splitting, piercing scream.

However, Zhao Ke had lost interest in Xiong Da. He did, however, consider how much of a shock it would be for Xiong Da to realize he'd eaten a pot of bear meat, and whether it would drive him mad.

Thinking of this, Zhao Ke felt a tiny bit of anticipation.

Following the innkeeper's directions, he headed north up the slope. Along the way, Zhao Ke casually asked for directions, and passersby gave him knowing smiles and pointed the way.

He walked up the mountain path and soon saw the so-called Zhuangyuan Tower.

It was, however, nothing like he had imagined.

When he heard the innkeeper, he thought Zhuangyuan Tower was 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 greet guests.

Yet, 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 a sensual establishment the innkeeper had given. Zhao Ke couldn't help but wonder if the innkeeper was deliberately deceiving him.

Seeing this, he felt a pang of disappointment. He had just wanted to see what an ancient brothel was like, and it turned out to be a wasted trip.

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

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.

Though he looked like a practitioner of some sort, Zhao Ke couldn't tell what he cultivated.

"Uh..."

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

As if sensing Zhao Ke's embarrassment, the old cultivator smiled calmly. "I assume you are a scholar passing through on your way to an examination. 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.

Putting his hands behind his back, he pinched the remaining silver fragments from his Post Album. It wasn't much, only about three taels. The innkeeper had taken advantage of his hospitality and hadn't charged him for his room. Zhao Ke had no use for the remaining silver.

If nothing unexpected happened, he planned to return to reality soon. In reality, this kind of silver would only be worth about 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. He estimated 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 could feed an ordinary family for half a year.

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

"Young friend, this way please."

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

"Achoo!"

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

With each step she took in her loose robe, the hem would flutter, revealing glimpses of her fair thigh, sparking countless imaginations beneath the fabric.

"Please, have some tea."

The woman held a cup of tea with both hands and crouched down, offering it to Zhao Ke. As she raised her hands, her robe lifted, revealing a pair of delicate, jade-like feet. On her fair insteps, there was a pair of thumb-sized butterfly tattoos.

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

She blinked her eyes at Zhao Ke, her gaze sending ripples of charm, captivating and enchanting. A small mole by her lips, paired with her rosy lips, made it impossible to look away.

"So it really is a brothel!!"

He had thought the innkeeper was tricking 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 for the tea. Seeing this, the woman assumed Zhao Ke was mesmerized by her. She chuckled, leaning forward slightly, almost pressing half her body against Zhao Ke. Her voice was seductive and tender, as if trying to steal his soul.

If it were an ordinary hostess, Zhao Ke wouldn't have felt anything. But for a delicate female cultivator, the woman's already alluring appearance was tinged with an added demonic charm as she leaned into him.

Truly, she was as captivating and enchanting as flowing water.

What was most striking 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 cautious. He hadn't forgotten where he was.

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

Seeing this, Zhao Ke reached out and took the tea, but then casually set it aside, seemingly unwilling 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 perhaps, you'd prefer if I fed it to you?"

As she spoke, the woman brought the tea closer. Just as it was before Zhao Ke, he raised his eyebrows and opened his mouth, letting out an "Achoo!" 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 with an embarrassed expression.

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 beside her immediately waved for her to step back, apologizing slightly. "Little friend, don't be in a hurry. At tonight's banquet, our temple will have singing and dancing to entertain. Please rest for a while, and you'll surely have a good time tonight."

"You're too kind, too kind," Zhao Ke said with a forced smile, waving his hands repeatedly, offering polite words.

After a few more polite remarks from the old nun, she led the woman out. As soon as they left 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 clean the tea and saliva from her face. She smirked and followed the old cultivator, walking away with large strides.

"Interesting!"

After seeing off the old and young cultivators, Zhao Ke sat back down in his chair. The awkwardness on his face gradually faded. He narrowed his eyes, tapping his fingers lightly on the table. Recalling the woman's cold eyes, he became instantly alert, thinking to himself, "It seems this place is not a good one."

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

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

Someone walked alongside Zhao Ke, and their eyes met in a shared glance. They both understood.

As everyone took their seats in the front hall, a stout, burly fatty sat next to Zhao Ke, his eyes glued to the cultivators moving around.

The fair white thighs flashed before his eyes, but upon closer inspection, they were covered by long robes. Every cultivator, while serving dishes and pouring tea, maintained a dignified demeanor, yet they would occasionally cast a flirtatious glance, making one's heart flutter.

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

"Slap slap..."

The women lifted their legs, revealing long, fair legs from beneath their wide robes. Pairs of delicate hands gently caressed the thighs of the women beside them.

Their fingers slowly moved upwards, causing everyone's eyes to widen as they stared at the rising fingers.

"Slap slap, slap slap slap, slap slap slap slap..."

Figures flickered before their eyes as pairs of slender, boneless hands lightly patted the thighs, which were like fine mutton fat, with quick and powerful movements that were dazzling.

"Tear!"

The robes were ripped away, revealing rounded forms beneath pink bodices. Their slender, strong waists twisted together, not only failing to detract from the seductive dance but instead enhancing its alluring sensuality.

Zhao Ke initially found it amusing, but for some reason, the more he watched, the dizzier he felt. He had the distinct impression that the figures before him were gradually becoming heavier.

"Slap slap slap..."

The sound of slapping grew faster in his ears. 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 instantly flashed in his mind, and he thought, "It's her!"

Zhao Ke's heart jolted, and a sense of crisis washed over him, clearing his mind considerably.

"Huuu..."

At this moment, Zhao Ke felt a warmth by his ear, and soft, moist 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 kept his eyes closed, appearing to be in a state of bliss, his wariness grew. His hands continuously felt around 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 sharp sting, his eyes slowly opened. Upon seeing the scene before him, Zhao Ke's scalp went numb. 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 revealed a sinister, eerie grin. "Eh! You discovered me!"

(This chapter took a long time to revise, mainly out of fear of crossing the line. I deleted and revised, revised and deleted, which is why it's late, but this is still not entirely safe. I've done my best, everyone.)