What Kind of Jianghu Sect is This?

A window on the third floor of the pavilion was suddenly pushed open gently. A gaze fell from above, and Lin Xuan, with his keen senses, instinctively looked up at the sound.

Standing by the window was a woman in a moon-white dress. Her features were not exactly stunning, possessing a fresh and elegant air, but her eyes were exceptionally bright.

After just a single glance, a strange feeling stirred within Lin Xuan.

The woman smiled faintly and then closed the window.

The madam's expression suddenly turned much more respectful: "Officer, the manager says—please."

Lin Xuan nodded and said to Zhang Xiu, who had been standing silently to the side: "Uncle Zhang, wait for me downstairs."

Zhang Xiu had intended to follow, but upon hearing Lin Xuan's words, he halted his steps.

"Flag Commander Lin, be careful."

Lin Xuan laughed heartily: "Rest assured, this is Wuqu Province, not a bandit's den."

With that, he walked straight toward the pavilion, crossed the front courtyard, and ascended the wooden stairs.

Perhaps influenced by Silent Step, he did not make a single sound even as he stepped onto the wooden stairs.

Inside the pavilion, there was none of the heavy scent of rouge and powder typical of such pleasure houses; instead, a faint aroma of sandalwood permeated the air.

From the second floor came the sound of a zither being played with little proficiency. It was disjointed, sounding like a novice learning the instrument.

Following the sound, he saw several elegantly dressed women teaching someone how to play and read music.

Lin Xuan only swept a glance over them before forming a judgment: the businesses of Qiyun Sect were clearly managed with more refinement than ordinary brothels.

He soon reached the third floor, where two women in sturdy attire stood at the entrance.

Seeing Lin Xuan arrive, one of them gently pushed open the door, her voice neither happy nor sad, carrying a hint of respect: "Flag Commander Lin, please."

Lin Xuan stepped inside.

The room was not large, but the furnishings were exquisite—bookshelves, a tea table, and a guqin. It did not look like a pleasure house at all, but rather like a scholar's study.

Behind the desk hung a piece of calligraphy.

Du... Fu... can move... Lin Xuan couldn't help but recite silently in his heart as he looked at the running script.

What does that mean? Did Du Fu transmigrate here too?

He immediately realized something was wrong and quickly dismissed his previous reading: Oh, no, it's "Diligence can make up for clumsiness."

The running script was written too sloppily, causing him to misread it.

He felt a bit embarrassed; it was fortunate he hadn't said it out loud, or he would have made a fool of himself.

The woman in the moon-white dress was brewing tea by the window. Seeing Lin Xuan enter, she stood up and bowed: "Qiyun Sect Deacon, Gu Lianwei. Greetings, Flag Commander Lin."

Lin Xuan nodded slightly: "Deacon Gu."

Both parties sat down, and Gu Lianwei personally poured a cup of tea, placing it before Lin Xuan.

"I heard just now that Flag Commander Lin has come seeking a dual cultivation technique?"

Lin Xuan took the teacup, neither hiding nor evading: "That is correct."

"That is quite rare," Gu Lianwei smiled.

"Ordinary military officers who come here usually seek pleasure, and their temperaments are often particularly impatient. Flag Commander Lin is the first to point-blank ask for a dual cultivation technique."

Lin Xuan set down his teacup: "Since Deacon Gu is willing to see me, I assume Qiyun Sect does not object to this matter."

Gu Lianwei did not deny it: "Indeed, we do not object, but dual cultivation techniques are not ordinary martial arts, and they are quite expensive."

"More importantly, not everyone is suited to practice them."

Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow: "How so?"

Gu Lianwei lifted her gaze.

"Because our sect's dual cultivation technique emphasizes the harmony of Yin and Yang and the resonance of spirit and intent."

"If one's temperament is unstable or their desires are too heavy, practicing it will not only be of no benefit but will easily damage one's spirit and deplete one's energy."

Having said this, she paused.

"Therefore, before our sect sells a technique, we usually assess the person first."

Lin Xuan laughed upon hearing this: "Then, Deacon Gu, what have you seen in me?"

Gu Lianwei also smiled: "I see that Flag Commander Lin does not have the intention of dallying in pleasure. It is more like you have come to purchase a cultivation resource, and you are in a great hurry."

Lin Xuan's eyes flickered. This woman truly had some ability; with just a few words, she had guessed most of the truth.

Gu Lianwei continued: "However, there is one thing I must tell Flag Commander Lin first."

"Our sect's dual cultivation technique can be sold. But we only sell the technique."

"To unleash its true effect, one requires a partner for dual cultivation."

"And such a person—"

She extended a slender finger and tapped lightly on the tabletop.

"Is more expensive than the technique itself."

The room suddenly fell silent.

Lin Xuan remained silent for a moment, then slowly smiled: "Deacon Gu, you people at Qiyun Sect truly know how to link one business deal to the next."

Gu Lianwei smiled demurely: "Flag Commander, you flatter me. After all, we are business people; we must ensure our trade lasts. I despise one-off deals above all else."

Gu Lianwei's words made Lin Xuan narrow his eyes slightly.

"It seems Deacon Gu is prepared to sell the person as well? I never imagined Qiyun Sect dealt in human trafficking."

Upon hearing this, Gu Lianwei shook her head with a soft laugh: "Flag Commander Lin, you misunderstand. People are not goods; how could we sell them?

We are a legitimate sect, and we pay taxes to the imperial government."

She picked up her teacup and took a gentle sip.

"The dual cultivation disciples of our sect are all official members of Qiyun Sect.

They practice the sect's techniques, receive monthly stipends, and enjoy our support, no different from any other disciple."

Lin Xuan's heart stirred. This was somewhat beyond his expectations. It was said that dual cultivation required a meeting of minds, yet this Qiyun Sect seemed to have a batch of people capable of achieving that connection with others!

Gu Lianwei continued: "In truth, our sect trains quite a few dual cultivation disciples every year, but very few are truly capable of dual cultivation with others."

"Why?" Lin Xuan asked.

"Because dual cultivation requires the harmony of spirit and intent. Many believe that simply being able to practice the technique is enough, but in reality, that is far from the truth."

"Some are naturally gifted at reading others, some can keenly perceive the emotions of those around them, and some are so clever and tactful that they can quickly build trust.

These are the people suited to practice our sect's secret arts; they are the most suitable partners for dual cultivation."

Lin Xuan understood. This group of people were not mere prostitutes, but a form of martial arts resource, specifically provided for wealthy martial artists to accelerate their cultivation.

Wealthy martial artists who came here to spend money could gain pleasure and emotional value while simultaneously improving their martial prowess...

It was likely that those wealthy young masters would be unable to stop pouring money into this place, and they would have a perfectly valid reason to do so, leaving no room for criticism!

Gu Lianwei's intention was to lure him into spending here, even though he appeared to be nothing more than a destitute Flag Commander with a monthly salary of only one and a half taels of silver.

No wonder Qiyun Sect had become the titan of the pleasure industry, dominating Wuqu Province.

How could this be a martial arts sect? They were clearly a group of merchants as shrewd as they could possibly be.

"What you are cultivating is a type of martial arts resource. Wealthy martial artists come here to spend, gaining pleasure and emotional value while boosting their martial level...

It is far more enjoyable than suffering through bitter training at home."

Hearing this, Gu Lianwei could not help but look at Lin Xuan with newfound respect. He had summarized the essence of Qiyun Sect's disciples with startling accuracy.

She carefully chewed on the novel, unheard-of term:

"Emotional value... This term is spot on. I never expected Flag Commander Lin to be such a learned scholar."