Still a Person in a Spring Boudoir Dream

A faint fragrance wafted from her, stirring the heart and mind, making one's thoughts wander.

Feeling the plump softness and delicate skin, it was truly irresistible.

At seventeen, when one's blood and energy were at their peak, a little teasing was enough to elicit a response.

But who was Sheng Huai'an?

Having lived two lives, and a peak Houtian realm expert at that, cultivating the Great Sun Heart Sutra. Not to mention being unperturbed by temptation, at the very least, this little bit of teasing wouldn't stir his heart.

"Cheers!"

Sheng Huai'an clinked glasses with Hua Yueru, then tilted his head and drank it all down.

This wine had no high alcohol content; Sheng Huai'an estimated it was only around ten to twenty percent alcohol, and that was considered good wine.

It tasted similar to beer from his previous life, and honestly, it wasn't very good.

If the brewing technology in this world was only at this level, he could become incredibly wealthy by brewing high-proof spirits and selling them.

As night fell, people began arriving at the Yichun Tower one after another. Those who came to Yichun Tower were either from wealthy families or single men who had enough to eat.

Of course, there were also scholars who couldn't stand the loneliness.

Seeing that the second floor had been fully booked, those who arrived later had to stay on the first floor or pay to go up to the third.

"Why are there so many people today? They've filled up the entire second floor," a man dressed as a scholar said.

After reading a few pages of the Spring and Autumn Annals at home, he couldn't resist and wanted to gain some practical experience.

"Those are people from the Anning Army. Have you heard of Commander Sheng Huai'an? The one who wrote 'With ambition, I'll feast on the flesh of the barbarians, and with a laugh, I'll drink the blood of the Xiongnu.' He's treating his subordinates to a banquet." Someone nearby replied.

"What? The young general?" the scholar asked in surprise.

In Anning City, all scholars were aware of Sheng Huai'an's reputation. To be able to write such heroic verses, his talent far surpassed theirs.

"Precisely!"

"I wonder if this young general will be able to complete the poem today. Otherwise, it's just half a poem, and it doesn't feel quite right," a scholar said.

"Indeed, indeed!"

"If we are fortunate enough to witness the complete poem emerge, it would be a great joy in life."

Many people wanted to offer a toast, but seeing that Sheng Huai'an was hosting his subordinates, they could only give up.

Thanks to Yichun Tower being the only establishment of its kind in Anning City, there were many people, making it very lively.

After all, it was a border region, constantly on the brink of war, and few people were willing to do business here.

"So, Miss Hua Yueru has been chosen to accompany Young General Sheng for drinks. It seems we won't get to see Miss Hua Yueru's stunning dance tonight," someone lamented.

The guests on the first floor drank, chatted, and enjoyed the dances, while the second floor was occupied by Sheng Huai'an and his men.

As for the third floor…

That cannot be mentioned!

"Come, Commander, I'll toast you!" Tang Yunshan raised his glass to Sheng Huai'an.

"Drink!"

Sheng Huai'an was in high spirits and clinked glasses with Yunshan.

"Commander Sheng, I'll toast you too!" Hai Dahe also raised his glass to Sheng Huai'an.

"Are you guys trying to get me drunk?" Sheng Huai'an said with a smile.

"You can't say that. Among everyone here, Commander, you are the most distinguished. Of course, we should toast you first," Hai Dahe said, fawning.

Yunshan looked at Hai Dahe's sycophantic behavior with disdain. Was it really necessary to curry favor like this just for a Captain position?

"That's right, Commander. You lead us through life and death, slaying Xiongnu enemies. We should naturally toast you first," Tang Yunshan quickly added.

"Alright, enough with the flattery. We're out to have fun tonight, so let's all enjoy ourselves. I was just joking with you all. Even if all of you came at me together, you couldn't get me drunk," Sheng Huai'an said with a smile, shaking his head.

These two guys were openly and subtly trying to please him, all for that Captain position. He saw through their little schemes clearly.

Everyone toasted Sheng Huai'an first. He secretly thought, as expected, you can't escape drinking culture anywhere. Before, it was toasting superiors; now, it's toasting officers.

It's just that he was no longer the one doing the toasting, no longer a nobody in the corner.

At their table, only Wang Wu was playing more freely, sitting with Sheng Huai'an. The others were somewhat reserved.

Wang Wu was currently embracing and kissing the hostesses, laughing and chatting, clearly a regular and experienced patron.

As for Sheng Huai'an himself, he was subtly surveying the Yichun Tower. It was his first time visiting a brothel, and he felt a sense of novelty. However, with his subordinates present, he feigned composure and didn't show it.

After all, this was a world where visiting brothels was legal, so there was no need to be secretive.

"Come, sir, I'll pour you another drink," Hua Yueru invited Sheng Huai'an, raising her cup.

She always felt Sheng Huai'an's aura was very comfortable, making her want to nestle into his embrace.

Perhaps it was because Sheng Huai'an cultivated the Great Sun Heart Sutra, his intensely Yang energy made her feel a flutter of infatuation.

Facing the toasts from everyone, Sheng Huai'an accepted them all.

The drinking culture in his previous life's workplace had trained him to be able to handle two and a half jin of baijiu and drink beer as much as he wanted.

With his martial arts cultivation, it would take him three days and nights of continuous drinking without rest to get him drunk on low-proof alcohol in this world.

Sheng Huai'an didn't make any inappropriate advances towards her, and Hua Yueru felt a bit discouraged. Was she not good-looking enough to attract Sheng Huai'an?

Little did she know, Sheng Huai'an dared not act rashly, afraid of breaking his vows.

At this moment, he hated the Great Sun Heart Sutra to death. What kind of demonic cultivation technique was this, that it couldn't break through his pure Yang energy?

To have a beauty in his arms, to be able to see and touch but not to consume—this feeling was as agonizing as it could get.

"How about I perform a dance for you all, esteemed sirs?" Hua Yueru decided to showcase her most impressive skill.

One of her unique talents was her seductive dancing.

"Yes, please! Yes, please!"

Everyone readily agreed.

"Then thank you for dancing for my brothers here," Sheng Huai'an said with a smile and a nod.

Hua Yueru rose and slowly descended from the second floor. With her light gauze sleeves and skin as white as snow, she immediately made many men drool.

"Miss Yueru has come downstairs."

"Is she here to perform a dance?"

"Wow, we're in for a treat for our taste buds... no, our eyes."

Hua Yueru stepped onto the stage. The dancers on stage cooperated with her, and the string musicians began to play.

The dancers complemented Hua Yueru, and in an instant, her exquisite and elegant dance moves captured everyone's attention.

Even Sheng Huai'an was no exception. Her graceful dance was far superior to the coquettish posturing he'd seen in his previous life.

No wonder ancient officials and nobles liked to keep singers and dancers; they were elegant, refined, and pleasing to the eye.

After the dance, many were still lost in her enchanting movements, the subtle glimpses of her form being the most captivating.

"Not bad. It's no wonder so many people are mesmerized," Sheng Huai'an nodded slightly.

If this were his previous life, dancing like this in a livestream would have broken ten thousand viewers online instantly.

After the dance, Hua Yueru glanced at Sheng Huai'an. Seeing that he was merely appreciating the dance and not showing the same captivated expression as others, she felt a bit disheartened and like a failure. Could she not even tempt Sheng Huai'an with this?!

Returning to the second floor and sitting beside Sheng Huai'an, she gave up on trying to take Sheng Huai'an's first time and quietly poured wine.

"Miss Yueru's graceful dance has captivated these rough men," Sheng Huai'an said with a smile.

Many of the burly soldiers just moments ago were drooling, looking like lovesick fools. Having spent so much time in the barracks, they rarely had the chance to appreciate such dancing.

"You flatter me, sir!" Hua Yueru smiled faintly, her charm intoxicating.

She thought, 'I still couldn't captivate you!'

Sheng Huai'an sighed inwardly. As expected of a beauty from a pleasure house, every smile and glance was filled with allure.

If he were still an ordinary, pure young man like Chu Lan, he truly wouldn't be able to control himself.

Watching his subordinates happily drinking and playing drinking games, Sheng Huai'an sighed in his heart. Perhaps this was the only joy the soldiers guarding the border could experience.

Soon, a few scholars mustered the courage to toast him.

"Is this Commander Sheng, Lord Sheng?" a scholar in a green robe asked.

"I am!" Sheng Huai'an nodded.

If he hadn't been randomly conscripted by that damned soldier and dragged onto the city wall to activate his system's golden finger, he might still be a scholar now.

"We'd like to toast you, Lord Sheng, and thank you and all the generals for defending Anning Pass and creating a peaceful life for us," the leading scholar said.

Sheng Huai'an nodded. As expected of scholars, they knew how to speak.

"Let's drink together!" Sheng Huai'an raised his cup in return.

After finishing the drink, the scholars still showed no signs of leaving.

"Sir, your lines 'Brave warriors feast on Hu barbarian flesh, and laugh while thirstily drinking Xiongnu blood' and 'If only the brave generals of Longcheng were here, they wouldn't let the barbarian cavalry cross Anshan' have deeply impressed us. We wish we could read them every night, but we regret that the poems are incomplete. Could you bestow upon us the complete poems for us scholars to study day and night?" the leading scholar asked sincerely.

They were all scholars and greatly admired talented and eloquent people. They were also very respectful of Sheng Huai'an.

"That's right, Commander. Even us rough fellows felt our blood boil reading those two lines. Please complete them," Guo Xiaoping chimed in from the side.

"Do you have brushes and ink?" Seeing everyone looking at him with anticipation, Sheng Huai'an asked.

"I'll go get them!" Hua Yueru personally got up to fetch them.

Hua Yueru brought the inkstone, ink, brush, and paper, and personally ground the ink for Sheng Huai'an.

When the people on the first floor heard that Sheng Huai'an was going to complete the two poems written on the battlefield, they instantly perked up, filled with anticipation.

Fortunately, his predecessor had good handwriting. Although he didn't pass the imperial examination to become a scholar, his calligraphy was decent.

"Qin's moon, Han's pass, ten thousand miles of arduous march, yet no soldier returns."

"If only the brave generals of Longcheng were here, they wouldn't let the barbarian cavalry cross Anshan!"

After some thought, Sheng Huai'an composed and completed this poem. The other one wasn't suitable to be presented now.

The crowd watched him write the entire poem, their faces alight with fervor.

"Qin's moon, Han's pass, a frontier journey, no return. If only the Dragon City's flying general were here, He'd let no barbarian horse cross Anning Mountain!"

These were timeless verses, and to witness the birth of a classic poem firsthand filled them with an overwhelming sense of honor.

Though they didn't know which dynasty "Qin's moon, Han's pass" referred to, it didn't stop them from appreciating a poem that was sure to echo through the ages.

Hua Yueru gazed at Sheng Huai'an, stars sparkling in her eyes. This young man was handsome, a gifted poet, and possessed high martial arts cultivation – the perfect dream lover. It was a shame she was trapped in this pleasure quarter.

"What about the other one, Lord Sheng? The other one?" the scholars pressed eagerly.

"The other one isn't finished yet, I only have one line," Sheng Huai'an replied.

Disappointment rippled through the crowd.

"But!"

At the word "but," everyone's spirits immediately soared, their gazes fixed on Sheng Huai'an with anticipation.

"I have another poem here."

Immediately, Sheng Huai'an put brush to another sheet of Xuan paper and wrote:

"Sworn to sweep the Xiongnu, heedless of life, Five thousand brocade-clad heroes lost to barbarian dust. Pitiable the bones by the Wuding River, Still the beloved in a maiden's dream!"

This poem was originally the second of four poems from Chen Tao's "Xilongxi" during the Tang Dynasty. Sheng Huai'an had not given it a title.

Looking at this poem, Guo Xiaoping, Hu Bing, Wang Wu, Tang Yunshan, and the others fell silent.

It reminded them of the battle at the Yinma River, where the bodies of over seven hundred comrades lay scattered by the riverbanks, waiting for those who would only meet them in dreams.

"Sworn to sweep the Xiongnu, heedless of life, Five thousand brocade-clad heroes lost to barbarian dust. Pitiable the bones by the Wuding River, Still the beloved in a maiden's dream!"

With the recitation of this poem, a profound silence fell upon everyone. It held no grand ambitions or fiery passion, only the stark, unfeeling cruelty of war.

Pitiable were the countless bones by the Wuding River, representing the very people longed for day and night by countless women in their chambers!

Guo Xiaoping and the others looked at Sheng Huai'an, realizing he still hadn't let go of the past.

So many comrades left as corpses in the wilderness, and they hadn't even been able to give their fallen brothers a proper burial.

That night, everyone drank themselves into a stupor.

The residents of Anning City, having just endured the Xiongnu army's assault on their gates, felt the weight of these words most deeply.

Simultaneously, these two poems quickly spread throughout the pass and across the land.

The line, "Pitiable the bones by the Wuding River, still the beloved in a maiden's dream," conveyed endless longing and heartache.

It depicted the brutal indifference of war, resonating deeply with many.