Courtesan Cultivators

The doors of the Qinstring House were like a dividing line.

Outside lay a street swallowed by night and swept by cold winds, where carriage pullers still crouched at the corner, ready to risk their lives for a few copper coins.

Inside, warm air enveloped everyone amid gilded splendor. Even the air carried a sweet, cloying fragrance that could turn your bones soft with a single breath.

"Sir, we've arrived at the Qinstring House."

The young carriage puller called out and brought the shafts to a steady stop.

They were here.

Li Xiang stepped down and instinctively reached into his robe for copper coins to pay the fare.

A large, powerful hand cut across his path and stopped him.

Qin Zhong patted his chest with hearty confidence. "We agreed long ago. Today's my treat. I brought you here to broaden your horizons, so how could I let you pay?"

Without giving Li Xiang a chance to object, he turned, pulled a handful of copper coins from his bag, and stuffed them into the two pullers' hands without counting them.

"Take it. Buy yourselves some hot tea with the extra and warm up."

The two young pullers stared at the heavy handful of coins. There had to be dozens—more than twice the usual fare.

"Seventh Master, we can't take this money!"

One puller straightened his back, his eyes bright as he spoke to Qin Zhong with earnest conviction.

"Ever since you became the head of the Harmony Carriage Yard, you've set down rules and drawn clear lines.

It's been over a month now. No one bullies us anymore, and no fool comes onto our turf to steal customers.

We brothers finally have something to look forward to."

The other chimed in. "That's right, Seventh Master. You've helped us plenty already. We only gave you one ride today. If we took your money too, our consciences wouldn't let us rest. The brothers back at the yard would point fingers at our backs."

The smile on Qin Zhong's face slowly faded.

He looked at them without anger at their refusal. Instead, his expression grew stern. The simple, good-natured man they knew from the martial hall vanished, replaced by the authority of a leader.

"Rules are rules."

Qin Zhong's voice was low, firm, and beyond dispute.

"Without rules, you can't draw a circle or a square. I, Qin Seven, started in this trade. From my very first fare, I knew that you pay for a ride. It's only right."

"If I lead the way in breaking that rule, I'll ruin the trade's code. I might as well have forgotten my roots and the names of my own parents."

He paused, his torch-bright gaze sweeping over their faces.

"Besides, under the Harmony Carriage Yard's rules, Horizon Carriage Company takes thirty percent of every fare you earn, and I take another thirty percent as the yard head's cut."

"If you don't accept this fare, how am I supposed to take my cut? How is Horizon Carriage Company supposed to take theirs?"

"Are you trying to make me a figurehead whose word means nothing at the Harmony Carriage Yard?"

His words had reason behind them. He honored their loyalty while making his authority clear.

The two pullers exchanged glances. Seeing that Qin Zhong meant every word, they finally understood: this Seventh Master truly stood by his principles. He was nothing like the former yard head, who had only known how to squeeze his brothers dry.

"Thank you for your generosity, Seventh Master!"

They bowed together and accepted the coins with profuse thanks. Then they lifted their empty carriage and disappeared into the night with light steps.

Only after they had gone did Qin Zhong relax and sigh softly.

"Brother Li, sorry you had to see that."

Qin Zhong watched the rickshaw recede, a complicated look flashing through his eyes.

"I've known what it is to be poor, and I've had my fill of being bullied. In times like these, people's loyalties scatter easily, and a crew is hard to hold together. Once the rules are broken, even out of kindness, people start drifting apart. After that, it's hard to keep order."

"Luckily, an elder reminded me to set the rules early."

"Even if it's me—even if it's the Heavenly King himself—anyone who rides with the Harmony Carriage Yard has to pay by the rules."

"Only then will the brothers know those rules are cast iron, and that they can keep them alive."

"If you ever have people under you, set the rules early. Make rewards and punishments clear."

"Otherwise, you'll try to be the good man and end up with nothing but a reek of fox musk clinging to you."

Li Xiang listened quietly, looking at the burly man who was only a few years older than he was.

In these troubled times, many people wanted to climb higher. Few managed it without forgetting their roots, much less keeping the people beneath them together.

Most tales of success came secondhand, dressed in the colors of legend.

But Li Xiang had watched Qin Zhong climb step by step from an unremarkable carriage puller to the head of a district, then enter the Shocking Heron Martial Hall and become Hong Tianbao's direct disciple.

This was no idle conversation. Qin Zhong was teaching him by example how to conduct himself.

"Senior Brother Qin, I've learned a great deal." Li Xiang cupped his hands, his voice sincere.

They straightened their clothes and walked toward the Qinstring House's gilded doors.

Two rows of greeters in high-slit qipaos stood on either side of the entrance.

Every one of the women had a captivating figure, with curves in all the right places.

The slits rose all the way to the tops of their thighs. Whenever a breeze passed, a flash of dazzling white leg drew the eyes of men walking by.

They wore slim high heels imported from the West. Their steps swayed gracefully and clicked against the floor, each one seeming to land squarely on a man's heart.

"'Greeter' is a name we got from the West. We used to call them door attendants."

Qin Zhong explained in a low voice, "Though I have to say, they're much easier on the eyes than the ones who used to wear big padded coats."

"Welcome to the Qinstring House, Seventh Master Qin."

Before Qin Zhong could speak, the women bowed in unison.

Their movements were perfectly matched, and their voices were soft and sweet as honey, enough to make a man feel light down to his bones.

They were not only beautiful; their memories were exceptional.

Countless people passed through the Qinstring House each day, including officials and nobles. The women remembered every prominent figure in Linjiang County and every generous guest who had visited even once. They never got a name wrong or left anyone feeling neglected.

Qin Zhong clearly enjoyed the welcome. He lifted his chest, held his head high, and strode inside with Li Xiang.

A wave of warm fragrance greeted them as soon as they entered the hall.

The hall was vast, with an elegant stage at its center. Several musicians dressed in sheer gauze played the pipa and guzheng.

The music was no refined melody of lofty mountains and flowing streams. Its soft, lilting notes carried a decadent allure that made cheeks burn.

Imported Western leather sofas and rosewood tea tables stood around the hall. A carpet from Great Britain covered the floor, muffling every footstep until walking across it felt like treading on clouds.

"The Qinstring House is Courtesan Cultivator territory. They have two branches: Art Courtesans and Pleasure Courtesans."

Qin Zhong glanced at the huge Western clock in the hall, slowed his pace, and leaned close to Li Xiang's ear. His voice grew grave.

"Brother Li, don't underestimate these women, and don't let all this perfumed beauty cloud your eyes."

"Courtesan Cultivators have a poor reputation. Those so-called upright gentlemen spit at the very mention of them. But they truly hold a place among the Hundred Schools, and their rank isn't low."

Qin Zhong explained for Li Xiang, who was seeing this world for the first time. "Art Courtesans cultivate music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, entering the Way through their arts. A smile, a frown, a song, or a dance from them can cloud a person's mind—or soothe the soul."

Li Xiang's heart tightened.

"And the Pleasure Courtesans?"

"Pleasure Courtesans cultivate enchantment and the art of drawing power from others. Their practice is based on balancing yin and yang."

Qin Zhong lowered his voice further. "They say the Pleasure Courtesans who reach the highest levels have truly gone through a thousand men and buried ten thousand. To them, men are nothing but furnaces for cultivation and dregs left after the medicine is refined. They can drain one dry in moments."

"Whether Art Courtesan or Pleasure Courtesan, any Courtesan Cultivator who enters the path will awaken a Fate Artifact."