Tang San's face grew awkward. He glanced at Ma Hongjun. Though he really wanted to say yes, how could he bring himself to say something like that?
Ever since Dai Mubai had told him last time that a man could go to a brothel to blow off steam and feel better, the idea had taken root in his mind.
But Tang San still shook his head. "I'll pass. You guys go ahead."
"I'm not interested in that kind of thing."
"Come on, give it a try," Ma Hongjun invited him again.
"Boss Dai's paying."
Dai Mubai's gaze was still cold, and he still had nothing nice to say to Tang San, but he didn't refuse.
They were classmates, after all, and would have to spend time together in the future. If Tang San behaved himself from now on, Dai Mubai wasn't the petty type. Treating them once wouldn't cost much, and as the prince of the Star Luo Empire, he had money to spare.
"I said I'm not going. You guys go."
Tang San refused again.
If you invite me one more time, I'll reluctantly go take a look.
Refusing the first time shows I'm a decent person. Refusing the second time shows I know how to keep myself in check.
If I agree the third time, it'll only be because I couldn't turn down my classmates' heartfelt invitation!
"San Gui really knows how to keep himself in check."
"Well, if that's how it is, we'll be off."
Ma Hongjun took Oscar by the hand and followed Dai Mubai out of the dormitory.
Bang!
The dormitory door slammed shut.
Only Tang San remained, standing in the gust of wind stirred up as the door closed, utterly bewildered.
Tang San was dumbfounded. Why hadn't they invited him one more time?!
How would they know I wouldn't agree on the third invitation if they didn't ask again?
Tang San tossed and turned in bed.
He couldn't sleep. There was absolutely no way he could sleep.
He couldn't focus on cultivation, either.
The words "brothel" kept tempting Tang San's soul, like ants crawling all over his heart.
"The girls are all asleep, and the guys have already gone."
"Even if I go, nobody will find out."
With that thought, Tang San tiptoed out of the room, hurried out of the academy, and raced toward Suotuo City, using Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track at full speed.
Once in Suotuo City, he asked around a little and easily found a brothel.
Tang San looked over the brothel's rather luxurious furnishings and nodded in satisfaction before going inside.
"Oh, look who's here, young man!"
The madam hurried over to greet him.
"Quick, get the girls out here to entertain our guest."
The madam waved toward the back, and four young women dressed to the nines quickly came out, smiling brightly.
Though it was Tang San's first time there, he acted like a regular, as if he'd been there countless times before.
He finally let loose the nature he'd kept buried for so long and began indulging himself without restraint.
He raised a hand lightly. "Bring me another batch."
"Oh, my!"
The madam clapped her hands and sent the girls away.
She immediately realized she had a distinguished guest on her hands.
"Let's go inside first. We can take our time choosing!"
The madam quickly ushered Tang San into a room.
"May I ask what sort of price range you're looking for, young man?"
The madam quickly poured Tang San some tea.
"Of course, the higher the price, the better the girls."
"Here, no matter your budget, we have girls to match."
Tang San crossed his legs and looked at the madam, who still had some charm left.
Slowly, he held up one finger.
"Five?"
"Fifty Gold Soul Coins!"
"That would get you the finest girls we have."
The madam rubbed her hands together. The top girl was already out with a client, but she could still offer someone a little less popular.
Tang San shook his head.
"Five Gold Soul Coins?"
That would still be acceptable, the madam thought.
Tang San looked a little helpless as he pulled five Copper Soul Coins from his pocket and tossed them onto the table.
The madam stared at the five Copper Soul Coins on the table, stunned.
She looked at Tang San, then at the five Copper Soul Coins, and said nothing.
For a moment, the atmosphere was painfully awkward.
Tang San frowned. "What are you doing?"
"I already paid you. What are you waiting for?"
"Just wait."
The madam pocketed the five Copper Soul Coins.
She picked up the tea she'd just brought over and left the room.
"Hmph." Tang San gave a scornful laugh.
"Looks like I gave her too much and shocked her."
"She's even going to get me better tea."
"This place really is great."
A moment later, the door opened again, and the madam appeared once more.
Tang San rubbed his hands together, filled with anticipation.
"Huh?"
Why was this person so short?
Only when he got a clear look did he realize it was an old woman over seventy!
Tang San swallowed.
It wasn't that he was eager for her. He was simply shocked.
He glared furiously at the madam and demanded,
"You brought me this?!"
"What happened to those gorgeous twins?!"
The madam was annoyed, too. Who could have guessed someone would be so poor that he'd only be willing to spend five Copper Soul Coins at a brothel?
"For five Copper Soul Coins, what did you expect?"
"You should be grateful you even got this!"
"And you want gorgeous twins? Dream on!"
With her other hand, she slammed a clay jar of cold water onto the table, then left the room.
Only the old woman over seventy remained in the room.
The two of them looked at each other.
The old woman was rather hopeful, too. Young men always ran hot.
Tang San, meanwhile, kept trying to convince himself: With the lights off, it's all the same. It's all the same...
In the three rooms next door, Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar had finally finished.
They would have liked to spend the night there, but they had to head to Star Dou Forest the next day, so they still needed to return to Shrek Academy.
The three of them left their rooms at nearly the same time. They exchanged smiles, and everything was understood without a word.
Just as they were about to leave, they suddenly heard a commotion from the room next door.
And the voice making all that noise belonged to an old woman.
Their curiosity was instantly piqued.
Creak!
The door to that room opened, and an old woman over seventy slowly emerged, grumbling as she went.
"Honestly, these days, just about anyone comes to a brothel!"
"Jin Zhengu, who can't get it up!"
"Who are you trying to disgust?!"
Watching the old woman hurry away, Ma Hongjun chuckled. "Boss Dai, how about we wait a bit before leaving?"
"I'd like to see which big brother is in there."
Dai Mubai was curious, too. "Then let's wait a little."
The three of them waited like three nodding kittens.
At last,
a young man in blue martial attire slowly walked out of the room.
He muttered,
"At least I drank all the water in there. So it wasn't a total loss."
Dai Mubai and the others lowered their heads and stared wide-eyed at the person in front of them, unable to believe their eyes.
It was Tang San!
"San Gui!"
Tang San realized something was wrong. His head stiffly turned toward them.
"San Gui! Oh, San Gui—you must be really desperate!"
Before you continue