A window on the third floor of the pavilion suddenly eased open, and a gaze fell from above. Lin Xuan had keen hearing; at the sound, he instinctively looked up.
A woman in a moon-white dress stood by the window. Her looks were not especially stunning, but she was fresh and elegant, and her eyes were exceptionally bright.
Their eyes met for just a moment, yet Lin Xuan felt a strange sensation.
The woman smiled faintly, then closed the window.
The madam's expression turned markedly more respectful. "Officer, the person in charge says—please come in."
Lin Xuan nodded and said to Zhang Xiu, who had been standing silently to one side, "Uncle Zhang, wait for me downstairs."
Zhang Xiu had intended to follow, but at Lin Xuan's words, he stopped.
"Flag Commander Lin, be careful."
Lin Xuan laughed heartily. "Don't worry. This is Wuqu Province, not a bandit's den."
With that, he headed straight for the pavilion, crossed the front courtyard, and climbed the wooden stairs.
Perhaps it was because of Silent Step. Even as he walked up the stairs, he made not the slightest sound.
The pavilion wasn't filled with the heavy scent of powder and perfume common to pleasure houses. Instead, a faint sandalwood fragrance hung in the air.
An unpracticed melody drifted from the second floor. It was completely halting, sounding just like a beginner learning the qin.
Following the sound, he saw several elegantly dressed women teaching someone to play the qin and read music.
Lin Xuan only glanced over, but had already formed his judgment: Qiyun Sect's business was clearly run with far greater refinement than ordinary brothels and pleasure houses.
He soon reached the third floor. Two women in fitted martial attire stood at the door.
When Lin Xuan arrived, one of them gently pushed open the door. Her voice was neither warm nor cold, though it held a trace of respect. "Flag Commander Lin, please."
Lin Xuan stepped inside.
The room was not large, but its furnishings were exquisite. There were bookshelves, a tea table, and a qin. It looked less like a pleasure house and more like a scholar's study.
Behind the desk hung a piece of calligraphy.
"Du... Fu... can move..." Looking at the cursive script, Lin Xuan silently read it to himself.
What does that mean? Did Du Fu transmigrate here too?
Then he noticed something was wrong and hurriedly corrected his earlier reading. Oh, no. It says, 'Diligence can make up for a lack of talent.'
The handwriting was simply too sloppy, and he had misread it.
He felt a little embarrassed. Fortunately, he hadn't read it aloud, or he would have made a complete fool of himself.
The woman in the moon-white dress was sitting by the window, brewing tea. When Lin Xuan entered, she rose and gave a courteous bow. "Gu Lianwei, an executive of Qiyun Sect.
"Greetings, Flag Commander Lin."
Lin Xuan gave a slight nod. "Executive Gu."
They took their seats. Gu Lianwei poured a cup of tea herself and set it before Lin Xuan.
"I heard earlier that Flag Commander Lin came to ask about a dual-cultivation method?"
Lin Xuan took the cup, making no attempt to hide his intentions. "That's right."
"That's rather rare." Gu Lianwei smiled.
"When military officers come here, most are looking for pleasure, and they're often in quite a hurry.
"Flag Commander Lin is the first to come right out and ask for a dual-cultivation method."
Lin Xuan set down his teacup. "Since Executive Gu was willing to meet with me, I assume Qiyun Sect has no qualms about this."
Gu Lianwei didn't deny it. "Indeed, we don't. But a dual-cultivation method isn't an ordinary martial art, and it's quite expensive."
"More importantly, not everyone is suited to practicing it."
Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
Gu Lianwei lifted her eyes.
"Because our sect's dual-cultivation method emphasizes the harmony of yin and yang, and the resonance of the spirit and will."
"If one's mind is unstable and one's desires are too strong, practicing it will not only bring no benefit, but may also damage the spirit and drain the qi."
She paused there.
"So before selling the method, our sect usually takes a look at the buyer."
Lin Xuan smiled at that. "And what have you seen in me, Executive Gu?"
Gu Lianwei smiled too. "I can see that Flag Commander Lin didn't come here looking for wine and women.
"You seem more like someone buying a cultivation resource—and in quite a hurry to get it."
Lin Xuan's gaze shifted slightly. This woman really was capable. She'd guessed most of the truth from just a few words.
Gu Lianwei continued, "There's something I should tell Flag Commander Lin first."
"Our sect's dual-cultivation method can be sold. But what we sell is only the method.
"To bring out its true effects, you'll also need a cultivation partner."
"And someone like that—"
She extended a slender finger and lightly tapped the tabletop.
"Costs more than the technique."
The room fell silent.
Lin Xuan was quiet for a moment, then slowly smiled. "Executive Gu, your Qiyun Sect really does run its business one link at a time."
Gu Lianwei smiled sweetly. "Commander, you flatter me. After all, we're merchants. We have to make sure our business lasts. I hate one-and-done deals more than anything."
Gu Lianwei's words made Lin Xuan narrow his eyes slightly.
"So Executive Gu is planning to sell the people along with it? I never imagined Qiyun Sect was involved in human trafficking."
At that, Gu Lianwei shook her head and laughed softly. "Flag Commander Lin, you misunderstand. People aren't goods. How could we sell them?
"We're a respectable sect. We pay taxes to the government."
She lifted her teacup and took a gentle sip.
"The dual-cultivation disciples in our sect are all formal members of Qiyun Sect.
"They practice our sect's techniques, receive a monthly stipend, and enjoy the sect's support. They're no different from ordinary disciples."
Lin Xuan's thoughts stirred. This was somewhat beyond his expectations. People said dual cultivation required a meeting of minds, but Qiyun Sect seemed to have a whole group of people who could connect with others in that way!
Gu Lianwei continued, "In fact, our sect trains quite a few dual-cultivation disciples every year, but not many are truly able to cultivate with others."
"Why?" Lin Xuan asked.
"Because dual cultivation requires a spiritual and mental rapport. Many people assume that being able to practice the method is enough, but in truth, they still have a long way to go."
"Some people are naturally good at reading others. Some can keenly sense other people's emotions. Some are quick-witted and can build trust with others in no time.
"These are the people suited to practicing our sect's secret art. They make the best dual-cultivation partners."
Lin Xuan understood. This group wasn't made up of ordinary prostitutes, but a kind of martial resource, specifically meant to help wealthy martial artists accelerate their cultivation.
Wealthy martial artists came here to spend money, gaining pleasure and emotional value while also improving their martial abilities...
The young masters from rich families would surely be unable to stop throwing money at this place—and they'd even have a good reason for doing it, one no one could find fault with!
And Gu Lianwei's meaning was that she wanted to draw him into spending money here, even though he looked like nothing more than a penniless Flag Commander whose monthly salary was barely one and a half taels of silver.
No wonder Qiyun Sect had become the dominant pleasure-house magnate in Wuqu Province.
What kind of jianghu sect was this? They were clearly a bunch of shrewd merchants, shrewder than anyone.
"You train them as a kind of martial resource. Wealthy martial artists come here to spend money, gaining pleasure and emotional value while also improving their martial abilities...
"It's a lot more enjoyable than grinding away at home."
Hearing this, Gu Lianwei couldn't help but look at Lin Xuan in a new light. He had summed up the essence of Qiyun Sect's disciples with remarkable accuracy.
She carefully savored the unfamiliar new term.
"Emotional value... That phrase really captures it. I never expected Flag Commander Lin to be such a learned man."
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