Jadeite House

"Brother, this is Jadeite House. I won't be going in—I've been short on funds lately."

"Mm." Jiang Ming nodded and entered Jadeite House alone.

"Oh, young master, right this way!" The madam hurried forward the moment she saw him.

"You look unfamiliar, young master. This must be your first time at our Jadeite House. Let me introduce the place to you." The madam beamed.

"Mm." Jiang Ming replied indifferently. From nowhere, he produced a folding fan and began fanning himself, casually tossing out a Supreme-Grade Spirit Stone.

The madam's face blossomed like a chrysanthemum. "Young master, at Jadeite House, you may choose a private room. There are Heaven, Earth, and Human-class rooms. You may also remain in the main hall. Sometimes, the courtesan Lingyue waits there for one destined by fate."

"The courtesan? Fairy Lingyue? One destined by fate?" Jiang Ming glanced at the madam. "Then the courtesan it is. Arrange a Heaven-class room for me."

"Oh my, young master, if you wish for the courtesan to accompany you, you must first gain her approval."

Without another word, Jiang Ming tossed out a hundred Supreme-Grade Spirit Stones. "I don't want to say it a second time!"

The madam's eyes lit up at the sight of so many Supreme-Grade Spirit Stones. "Easy, easy. I'll arrange it right away."

"Little Flower, take this young master to the top floor," the madam instructed the maid beside her.

"Yes." The maid named Little Flower bowed to Jiang Ming. "Young master, please follow me."

Fanning himself, Jiang Ming strode upstairs.

There was only one room on the top floor. Three large words were written above its door: "Imperial Pavilion."

"Please enter, young master." Little Flower bent at the waist in salute.

"Quite the nerve, calling it Imperial Pavilion." Jiang Ming smiled.

"Once young master enters Imperial Pavilion, you are Jadeite House's emperor," Little Flower said calmly.

"Does that mean I can do whatever I want?" Jiang Ming asked curiously.

"Indeed. Even the courtesan sister can be sent to young master."

"Interesting!" A smile curled across Jiang Ming's lips as he stepped into the room.

The instant he crossed the threshold, the sight before him drew his attention. The room's layout was simple and clear, yet every decoration radiated luxury. Soft carpets covered the entire floor, woven from the fur of third-rank demonic beasts.

The most eye-catching feature, however, was the enormous bed. It had been crafted from thousand-year mystic wood, which was soft yet exceedingly resilient, with fine grain and a faint fragrance. This wood could calm the mind and soothe the spirit, making it a peerless treasure for cultivators. Thick quilts and soft pillows covered the bed, making one feel as though they were lying atop the clouds.

There was also a pink curtain in the room, meticulously woven from thousand-year blood cicada silk. This silk was extraordinarily rare; only thousand-year blood cicadas could produce threads so precious.

A faint fragrance permeated the room, intoxicating all who breathed it in. Jiang Ming took a deep breath, savoring the fresh scent, and his mood became especially pleasant.

He walked to the bed and sat down, turning his gaze toward the windows. Imperial Pavilion had windows on two sides: one facing the street, the other overlooking Jadeite House's main hall. From this lofty vantage point, he could take in the entire hall below. This feeling of looking down from above truly carried the bearing of an emperor.

A short while later,

"Knock, knock, knock!" Someone knocked on the door.

"Young master, Fairy Lingyue has arrived," the madam's voice sounded from outside.

"Come in," Jiang Ming said blandly.

"Creak!" The door opened. The madam entered first, followed by a woman in a white dress with a veil over her face. She had a graceful figure and carried something of an immortal maiden's air.

"She does look like a beauty." Jiang Ming smiled and looked at the madam. "You may leave first."

"Ah, yes." The madam agreed and left the room.

"What is your name?" Jiang Ming asked the beauty before him.

"This little woman is Lingyue." Lingyue's voice was gentle and enchanting.

Jiang Ming narrowed his eyes, golden light gripping the soul. "I asked, what is your name?"

Faced with the imposing Golden Eyes, Lingyue's heart trembled. "This little woman's true name is Zhang Lingyue."

"Take off the veil," Jiang Ming ordered.

"Young master, our Jadeite House sells talents, not..." Zhang Lingyue met Jiang Ming's eyes and instinctively found herself unable to refuse. She raised a hand and removed her white veil, revealing a lovely face with bright eyes and pearly teeth, like a masterpiece exquisitely carved by heaven itself.

"You're quite pretty!" Jiang Ming's mood brightened.

"Thank you for your praise, young master."

"What talents do you sell?" Jiang Ming asked indifferently.

"Singing, dancing, and music."

"Can you do a striptease?"

"Ah?" Zhang Lingyue stared blankly, unable to understand how one was supposed to dance a striptease.

"You don't even know that, yet you dare say you can dance?" Jiang Ming said unhappily.

"It is truly that this little woman has never heard of the dance young master speaks of. I presume such a dance is far too profound, not something women of the pleasure quarters like us may come into contact with."

"Then play something you're good at." Jiang Ming leaned back against the bed, eating the fruit the madam had sent over as he listened to the music.

This is pretty relaxing! Jiang Ming thought. No wonder so many people liked visiting the pleasure quarters to listen to music. If his body were not so unsuitable, then with a body brimming with the qi of the sun, he could surely plow every field.

He shook his head, casting aside his stray thoughts, and simply enjoyed himself.

"Where is Fairy Lingyue? Where is my Fairy Lingyue?" Shouting came from outside.

"Oh, my lord, Fairy Lingyue is busy at the moment," the madam's voice answered.

"Who doesn't know Fairy Lingyue belongs to me, Yun Shaomeng? Who dares make Fairy Lingyue accompany them? Other than this young master, who is worthy?"

"Young Master Yun, that person can produce a hundred Supreme-Grade Spirit Stones," the madam said quietly.

"So what? I can produce them too! Where is he? I'd like to see which blind fool has dared to provoke me." Yun Shaomeng shouted.

Before long, "Knock, knock," came from the door.

"Come in," Jiang Ming said blandly.

A young man strode in. He wore a snow-white robe with a straight collar, its fabric of exceptional quality. At his waist hung only a superb jade pendant. His black hair was casually tied with a white silk ribbon, with neither crown nor hairpin. Several strands before his forehead had been scattered by the wind, fluttering together with the silvery ribbon, making him appear light and elegant.

What a refined young gentleman, Jiang Ming thought. Had it not been for the loud commotion downstairs earlier, anyone seeing him for the first time would surely have taken him for a gentleman of sterling character.

The newcomer stopped and glanced at Zhang Lingyue in her chair, then looked at Jiang Ming on the bed. "You're the brat making my Fairy Lingyue accompany you? Take a look at your own pathetic face. Are you worthy?"

"Oh? I'm not worthy, but you are?" Jiang Ming raised his eyes.

"Of course. This young master is the eldest young master of the Yun Clan. What the hell are you?"

"The Yun Clan's eldest young master only has Core Gathering strength? Did you cultivate yourself into a dog?"

"Pfft!" Zhang Lingyue failed to hold back her laughter. As for the madam, she struggled with all her might to suppress a laugh before quietly slipping out of the room.

When Yun Shaomeng saw Zhang Lingyue laughing, the anger vanished from his face. "Fairy Lingyue is breathtaking when she smiles."