Chapter 50: A Peaceful Night of Music at the Pavilion
Night fell.
Wendao City was ablaze with lights, bustling and lively.
Chu Feng wandered through the city, admiring the nighttime scenery of this era. Before he knew it, he had arrived outside the Fragrant Pavilion.
"Young master, come play!"
"Young master, it's been so long—I missed you dearly."
"…"
Inside the Fragrant Pavilion, countless courtesans were enticing guests with soft and charming voices.
Looking at the scene before him, Chu Feng couldn't help but mutter, "A peaceful night of music at the pavilion—not a bad life at all."
Flick!
He opened the folding fan he'd bought earlier at the market and strolled into the Fragrant Pavilion with a leisurely flair.
As soon as he entered, a graceful woman approached him.
"This young master has a fresh face—you must be visiting our Fragrant Pavilion for the first time?"
Yuan Shuxiao smiled, fanning herself with elegance.
"You have sharp eyes, sister."
Chu Feng allowed her to cling to his arm, though his eyes scanned the crowd for Kuang Sandao and Ling Zitong.
Though he was considering accepting one of them as a disciple, he still needed to assess their character.
After all, his recruitment slot was valuable—he couldn't waste it.
Yuan Shuxiao, keenly catching his gaze, asked, "Could young master be looking for a friend?"
"No."
Chu Feng changed the subject. "Pardon my boldness—where are Kuang Sandao and Ling Zitong?"
Hearing this, Yuan Shuxiao immediately understood the young man's true purpose.
Truth be told, many had come to the Fragrant Pavilion tonight just to catch a glimpse of those two.
After their battle on the Life and Death Platform earlier that day, their fame had spread once more.
Rumor had it Wendao Academy might soon recruit the two, breaking precedent.
Tonight was the perfect time to get close to them, so Yuan Shuxiao had specially arranged an excellent seat for the pair.
"There—they're seated over there."
Following her finger, Chu Feng saw Kuang Sandao and Ling Zitong surrounded at a table, admired like stars in the sky.
Many guests were toasting them.
He glanced around—the surrounding tables were already full. He then looked up at the semi-enclosed private rooms on the second floor and asked,
"Are there any seats upstairs?"
Yuan Shuxiao didn't care what his intentions were. A paying customer was always welcome. "Of course! May I ask how many are in your party?"
"Just me. I'd like a private room."
"Certainly, young master. Please follow me."
With a smile, Yuan Shuxiao led Chu Feng up the stairs.
Meanwhile, in another private room on the second floor, Steward Han witnessed the entire scene.
Taking a sip of wine, he thought to himself: Looks like Chief Chu really is planning to take one of them as a disciple. Too bad I still can't confirm which one—otherwise, I could profit even more from it.
Chu Feng had no idea someone was scheming to snatch his potential disciple.
After following Yuan Shuxiao upstairs, he entered a private room. No sooner had he sat down than an attendant brought over an illustrated album.
"Young master, our Fragrant Pavilion has all kinds of performers—from elegant singers to famed courtesans. Please take your pick."
Without hesitation, Chu Feng replied, "Send in two who can sing. Also, bring a pot of wine."
"Of course. Please wait a moment."
Yuan Shuxiao smiled and exited the room.
Before long, two young girls—one in red, one in green—entered.
One carried a pipa, while the other brought in a pot of wine.
"Greetings, young master."
The two girls bowed gently after entering.
"No need for formalities."
"Thank you, young master."
The girl carrying the wine set it on the table and poured him a cup.
Chu Feng accepted it without taking any liberties and said, "What are you two good at? Just perform whatever you're best at."
"Yes, young master."
With that, the sound of the pipa and a voice as clear as a lark's filled the private room.
Chu Feng sipped his wine and listened to the music, completely at ease, all the while keeping a casual eye on the two downstairs.
Not far away, in another private room…
After much deliberation, Steward Han called over his trusted subordinate and had him deliver the information that Chu Feng was paying attention to Kuang Sandao and Ling Zitong back to Wendao Academy.
There were quite a few academy disciples present in the city. He had to act fast and report the news first—then see how many spirit stones the higher-ups would reward him with.
To earn an even bigger reward, he deliberately added one more line on the letter: "Chu Feng seems to favor Ling Zitong."
After settling all that, Steward Han returned to his wine.
About half an hour later—
Yuan Shuxiao's voice rang out in the Fragrant Pavilion. "Esteemed guests, Miss Qin has arrived."
At those words, the once-bustling Fragrant Pavilion instantly quieted.
Moments later, flower petals began drifting down inside the pavilion, filling the air with floral fragrance.
The two young girls who had been playing the pipa and singing stopped immediately.
Chu Feng looked at them and subconsciously asked, "Why did you stop singing?"
The girl in red replied, "Young master, you didn't come to hear Miss Qin perform?"
"Is she famous?"
Chu Feng asked instinctively. The two girls exchanged a glance, suddenly realizing—this young master really wasn't familiar with Miss Qin.
The girl in green with the pipa explained, "Sister Qin is the top songstress in Wendao City—and she has no indenture contract.
As long as someone agrees to her terms, she will leave with them."
Chu Feng asked with interest, "The Fragrant Pavilion allows someone like that to exist?"
The girl in green said, "They have no choice. If the pavilion refuses, Miss Qin will simply perform elsewhere. The only ones losing out would be the Fragrant Pavilion."
A faint smile curved on Chu Feng's lips. "Interesting."
As the three spoke, a woman dressed in a flowing white liuxian dress appeared on the third floor, flanked by a group of attendants.
Chu Feng looked over curiously. She was a graceful young lady with a light and elegant figure.
Her skin was like flawless jade, soft to the touch. Her face was cold yet beautiful, with glossy black hair cascading to her waist.
Though a white silk ribbon covered her eyes, it did nothing to diminish her beauty—instead adding a mysterious charm.
Miss Qin seated herself in front of a guqin, and only then did the guests snap back to their senses, murmuring to one another.
"I didn't expect to see Miss Qin's beauty tonight—this trip was definitely worth it."
"Exactly. I originally just came to get a look at Kuang Sandao and Ling Zitong."
"You think Miss Qin is finally going to accept Ling Zitong? He's been pursuing her for ages."
"I think there's a chance. After all, Ling Zitong is about to join Wendao Academy."
"…"
Amid the chatter—
Miss Qin began to pluck the strings of her guqin. As the elegant and melodious notes filled the air, the Fragrant Pavilion once again fell silent.
By the end of the piece, the audience was still lost in the music—even after Miss Qin had left, many hadn't returned to their senses.
Chu Feng let out a soft breath. "This Miss Qin is quite extraordinary."
During that performance, he had clearly felt the fluctuation of spiritual power.
The girl in green nodded. "Of course. Our Sister Qin is a cultivator at the Dao Foundation Realm."
"Oh?"
Hearing that, Chu Feng's interest in the woman grew.
"Tell me more."
The green-clothed girl shook her head. "Yuan Shuxiao forbids us from saying too much."
"Hah, playing coy now?"
Chu Feng didn't press the two girls. He simply sipped his wine at a relaxed pace.
At that moment, Yuan Shuxiao's voice rang out once more. "Ladies and gentlemen, if you wish to hear Miss Qin perform again tonight, bidding may begin now."
With those words, everyone turned to look at Ling Zitong.
Everyone here was a regular at the Fragrant Pavilion—they knew full well that this gentleman was pursuing Miss Qin.
Ling Zitong smiled and raised his sign. "One thousand low-grade spirit stones."
As soon as the words fell, the hall went silent. No one raised a bid.
After all, Ling Zitong was currently one of the most promising rogue cultivators in Wendao City.
Even if he lost to Kuang Sandao earlier that day, no one wanted to offend him.
Yuan Shuxiao looked at the still and quiet scene and felt slightly speechless.
One thousand low-grade spirit stones was a sizable bid, but who would ever complain about making more?
Still, if no one else raised the price, there was nothing she could do.
Yuan Shuxiao smiled and said, "Young Master Ling has bid one thousand low-grade spirit stones. Is there any guest who wishes to offer more?"
The crowd remained motionless—until a lazy voice suddenly echoed from the second floor.
"Two thousand low-grade spirit stones."
====================================================================================
Get access to 20 chapters in advance and enjoy 2 daily updates by supporting the series. Available on Patreon: https://patreon.com/Alex_Cruise or Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/anish_44