Immortalis

Corpse Demon 4

Not asking would have left them unaware, but with this inquiry, the three were startled to realize that outside Yongyi City, there was also a Meat Well.

Zhou Huai now felt a chill in his heart at the mere mention of those two words.

Zhou Jinglei's sins began with the Meat Well and ended with it. These bottomless mine shafts seemed specially designed to conceal all the things in this world that couldn't see the light. Wherever they existed, it meant something unimaginably terrible was bound to happen.

There was a Meat Well outside White Dog Village, one outside Green Bamboo Town, and now one outside Yongyi County...

Did all places where White-faced Guests had appeared have Meat Wells?

Noticing something peculiar, Yang Wujian frowned and asked, "Then why do they say the White-faced Fox came from that well?"

When it came to these folk rumors, Chu Qiao chattered away like any ordinary girl: "Of course it's because many people have died in that well. Such evil spirits can only come from that well. Even the Northern Desert guests who come here say the Meat Well connects to the Underground Heaven. Without extraordinary abilities, anyone who goes down will die horribly. So that place is truly unlucky."

"Many people have died there?"

"Yes, since ancient times, pleasure quarters have always been places of trouble. Poor scholars who wanted to redeem courtesans but lacked money, those who loved but couldn't have, or daughters from wealthy families sold to brothels after their households declined - those unwilling to entertain clients but unable to escape far - they would all jump into that Meat Well in the end. Of course, when troublemakers came to the pleasure quarter, the boss would have them dealt with. No one would report to the authorities, so they'd just be wrapped in straw mats at night and thrown into the Meat Well."

Chu Qiao said with lingering fear: "Just from what I've heard, four or five people have died in that Meat Well. So everyone says there are demons transformed from wronged souls beneath it. Not only do they prevent anyone who goes down from coming back up, but they occasionally climb out to cause trouble in the city... That White-faced Fox is one of them."

"That haunted place, the Meat Well, really is unlucky wherever it appears."

Yang Wujian thought of his previous experience descending into the Hero's Tomb and still felt chills.

He figured the Meat Well outside Yongyi City was probably similar - ordinary people who went down would experience hallucinations, be lured deeper in, and never emerge again.

Shen Qingshi asked: "Does your boss believe the story about the White-faced Fox too? With a top courtesan missing, is the matter just being left like this?"

Chu Qiao whispered: "What else can be done? Zhu'er was originally an Official Courtesan, registered with the authorities. If this gets bigger, it will involve the government... Our establishment can't withstand an investigation."

"Wait..."

Zhou Huai hadn't been listening carefully before: "Zhu'er was originally an Official Courtesan? She was the purchased Official Courtesan?"

Chu Qiao nodded: "Yes, that's why so many people came specifically to see her. Many guests wanted to experience an Official Courtesan from the Imperial Entertainment Bureau. They say during those days, Handkerchief Street was exceptionally lively, and Full Spring Tower couldn't even accommodate all the customers."

"Datong Official Courtesans don't serve officials. They're classified into different grades based on their looks to serve various commoner clients. If she was an Official Courtesan ordinary people couldn't normally see, she must have been exceptionally beautiful, probably originally serving wealthy merchants."

Shen Qingshi had visited the Imperial Entertainment Bureau many times during past investigations and naturally knew that for women, that place was hell on earth. Even those classified as upper class, the beautiful music courtesans, couldn't avoid taking clients for long hours - putting on smiling faces before people while weeping behind their backs.Thinking about how these women, even after being bought and entering the market, could hardly change their fates, Shen Qingshi couldn't help but frown deeply.

However, why did the White-faced Guest ultimately spare Zui Xiang?

Given his abilities, those thugs couldn't possibly be a match for him, so he had no need to flee at all. He could have easily taken Zui Xiang away right in front of everyone.

She asked, "Many people came because Zui Xiang had seen the White-faced Fox and they were drawn by his reputation. Did Zui Xiang actually see the White-faced Fox's face?"

If he was using Song Lan's face at that time, to protect this identity, Zui Xiang, who had been in close contact with him, would inevitably have been killed. Yet she survived, which sounded rather suspicious.

Chu Qiao shook her head: "Zui Xiang said that before she could see the scholar remove his face-covering veil, someone came up, and then the White-faced Fox vanished into thin air. Speaking of which, this matter is a bit strange. Although everyone knows of the White-faced Fox, few of the girls who were on Handkerchief Street six years ago have actually seen him. That's why some people think the White-faced Fox is a demon summoned by Zui Xiang, that it was all an illusion before, and in the end, it was Zui Xiang who sent him away."

It seemed that no matter what, they had to meet Zui Xiang once.

The three exchanged glances, clearly sharing the same thought.

Fortunately, Zui Xiang was originally the top courtesan of the Hidden Fragrance Pavilion, living only on the top floor.

Chu Qiao told the three that since Zui Xiang became the top courtesan, the owner rarely let her receive guests anymore. At most, she would only play the zither or pipa for people, and only if someone was truly willing to pay a high price would she actually spend the night with them.

"It seems that after losing Zhu'er, Young Master Guanhuo treasures Zui Xiang as a cash cow and doesn't dare let anyone mistreat her easily."

Yang Wujian said this, but in his heart, he thought it was actually convenient. With no guests, at least their late-night visit wouldn't interrupt anyone's good time.

Since Shen Qingshi had bought Chu Qiao for the night, no matter what, they would be staying in the building tonight. So, the three planned to wait until nighttime, sneak up to the sixth floor to meet Zui Xiang, and probe whether this woman actually recognized the White-faced Guest.

Shen Qingshi, being very meticulous, worried that if things were exposed, Chu Qiao might be implicated. So when Chu Qiao turned around, without a word, she knocked her out and gently laid her on the bed.

"Young Master Shen, you're really not very considerate. At least you could have said something to the girl."

Shen Qingshi's swift action even startled Zhou Huai, who couldn't help but complain. Shen Qingshi said softly, "There are many private punishments in brothels. She has already said too much. If we don't want to implicate her, this is the only way."

Next, it was time to wait.

For the next few hours, listening to the revelry outside, the young master almost had to recite the Great Compassion Mantra to himself. Fortunately, the incense in the room had gone out, so the three of them stayed without any discomfort, waiting until the lights outside went out. Shen Qingshi listened carefully and could no longer hear footsteps coming and going in the corridor.

"It's time."

Shen Qingshi pushed open the window. To avoid the guards in the building, taking the window was the fastest way. All three had excellent lightness skills, and they reached the sixth floor without any obstacles.

Chu Qiao had said that only Zui Xiang lived on the sixth floor of the Hidden Fragrance Pavilion. When she wasn't receiving guests, she often painted or played the zither in the study. In the entire Hidden Fragrance Pavilion, only Zui Xiang had two boudoirs to move between.Currently, both rooms on the sixth floor still had their lights on. Shen Qingshi couldn't see any figures inside, so with no other choice, he randomly pushed open one of the windows and was about to climb in when he unexpectedly bumped into a beautiful woman entering through the door.

In an instant, they came face to face. As if misfortunes never come singly, Shen Qingshi also heard the madam's concerned voice from downstairs: "Zui Xiang, still not asleep? Why are you standing in the corridor?"

For a moment, Shen Qingshi and the two behind him froze completely. After a brief standoff, Zui Xiang said, "I slept too much during the day, so I'm not very tired now. I'll read for a while longer."

She closed the door and silently gestured for Shen Qingshi to enter. Only then did the three of them manage to get into the sixth floor, albeit with a scare.

"It's been a long time since I've had guests coming in through the window. You'll need to keep your voices down."

Zui Xiang showed no fear at the sight of these uninvited guests. She lowered her voice and lit the candle on the desk. By the candlelight, the three finally got a clear look at Zui Xiang's appearance.

Although Chu Qiao had previously mentioned that Zui Xiang was nearly thirty, her appearance seemed no older than sixteen or seventeen. With skin like creamy jade and features as exquisite as a painting, she truly lived up to her title as the courtesan.

Zhou Huai had little experience dealing with women. Seeing Zui Xiang wearing only a thin gauze garment, he didn't even know where to look. Zui Xiang couldn't help but chuckle at his flustered appearance: "This young master doesn't seem like the type to visit the Hidden Fragrance Pavilion. Did you come looking for me for some other reason?"

"I..."

The more Zhou Huai avoided her gaze, the more Zui Xiang wanted to tease him, moving closer and closer. Seeing this, Yang Wujian had no choice but to step between them: "Miss Zui Xiang, we were indeed wrong to break into your chamber at night, but we have urgent matters. Following the regular procedures would have taken too long."

"This lady..."

Zui Xiang examined him, seeming slightly taken aback. She circled around Yang Wujian once, her smile becoming increasingly enigmatic.

"Having met many guests, I can usually judge a person's age, height, and weight from their aura and footsteps... But you are the most peculiar one I've encountered in all these years."

A sense of foreboding immediately rose in Yang Wujian's heart.

From this close distance, he could detect Zui Xiang's steady and prolonged inner breath, coupled with footsteps as light as a wild goose's...

Typically, only martial artists possessed such qualities.

Meanwhile, Shen Qingshi directly voiced the suspicion in his heart: "It seems the lady is not only accomplished in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting but also skilled in martial arts."

Hearing this, Zui Xiang turned to examine Shen Qingshi, her smile deepening. Then she suddenly remarked, "There are many women in this world skilled in martial arts. Aren't you one too, miss?"

"..."

Shen Qingshi immediately furrowed her brow.

She didn't particularly mind being exposed, but what concerned her was how this person had figured it out.

As if reading her mind, Zui Xiang immediately explained, "You carry the scent unique to courtesans, something ordinary people can't detect. However, I've been on Handkerchief Street for so long that I can tell at a glance."

"Wait, wait..."

Finally catching on, Zhou Huai widened his eyes, stammering as he spoke: "What did you say? Young Master Shen... is a girl?"

This is really troublesome.Yang Wujian felt a sudden headache, but before he could speak, Zui Xiang's next words left Zhou Huai utterly stunned.

"Could it be that this young master has been kept in the dark all along?"

Zui Xiang's smiling gaze shifted back and forth between Shen Qingshi and Yang Wujian.

"Your two traveling companions' true forms don't quite match their appearances. Not only is this handsome young man actually a woman, but this young lady here—her inner energy and footsteps differ from ordinary women. Though she wears many accessories, I believe my eyes don't deceive me."

Zui Xiang smiled faintly and said, "I suppose the reason this young lady wears such loose robes, covering her body completely, is because you are actually a young master who has contracted his bones, am I right?"