Two Years Prior
Spring Lake Pavilion
The night breeze carried the scent of wine, incense, and powdered perfume through the air, mixing with the laughter of men and the delicate melodies of stringed instruments. The Spring Lake Pavilion was alive with indulgence, an extravagant paradise where wealth and desire danced hand in hand.
At the heart of this lavish brothel, Jun Mo Xie stepped into the grand hall, his presence commanding attention without effort. His long black robes, embroidered with golden threads, swayed as he moved. His sharp eyes, veiled with amusement, swept across the room.
He appeared as any other noble son of a powerful family—a hedonistic young master seeking pleasure in the company of beautiful women.
But it was all an act.
How many eyes are watching me tonight?
He could feel them. Hidden in the corners, observing, waiting, calculating his every move.
Jun Mo Xie smirked to himself. Let them watch.
If they wished to see a drunken fool lost in pleasure, he would gladly play that role.
But first, he needed the right company to sell the act.
A middle-aged woman in a silk dress approached him, bowing with a practiced smile. "Young Master Jun, what an honor to have you grace our establishment tonight. Shall I prepare a private room for your enjoyment?"
Jun Mo Xie waved his hand lazily. "No need, no need! The night is young, and I wish to bask in the beauty of Spring Lake's finest! Bring me the best of the best!"
The old madam's eyes gleamed. "Of course, of course! We have many stunning ladies who would be delighted to accompany you—"
"Ah, but I shall pick them myself," Jun Mo Xie interrupted, his tone light yet firm. "I have a particular taste, you see."
The madam hesitated briefly but nodded. "Naturally, Young Master Jun. Please, take your time."
Jun Mo Xie strolled through the main hall, his gaze drifting over the assembled courtesans. Lush silks draped over soft figures, painted smiles curved on lips, and flirtatious gazes sparkled under candlelight.
Some were eager, their eyes filled with desire for wealth and favor. Others were indifferent, well-trained in the art of pleasure but detached from the men they entertained.
He plucked a few from the crowd—a playful beauty with dimples, a sultry woman with fox-like eyes, and a gentle one with a demure presence.
Each played a part in his charade.
But just as he was about to make his final selection, something unusual caught his attention.
A faint, nearly imperceptible ripple of hatred.
Oh?
His expression remained casual, but his senses sharpened.
Someone was here, carefully masking their emotions, but they had failed to suppress them completely.
Jun Mo Xie turned his gaze towards the source and found a woman seated in the far corner, away from the noisy crowd.
She was dressed in white, her long hair cascading down her back like ink on silk. Her posture was composed, her fingers delicately plucking the strings of a guqin, weaving a melody that seemed untouched by the debauchery around her.
Unlike the other women, she did not smile.
Unlike the other women, she did not glance at him with interest.
Her presence was refined, distant—as if she existed in a world separate from this one.
But her act was not flawless.
For just a moment, when Jun Mo Xie had begun selecting the courtesans, her fingers had trembled.
It was so faint, so brief, that no ordinary person would have noticed.
But Jun Mo Xie was no ordinary person.
His Observation Haki wrapped around her like an invisible thread, sensing the hidden emotions beneath her serene mask.
Hatred.
Deep, buried hatred.
Fascinating.
A courtesan who concealed her true feelings so well that even seasoned patrons failed to notice?
Jun Mo Xie grinned. You will do nicely.
He turned to the madam and gestured toward the woman. "That one. The musician."
The madam hesitated. "Ah… Young Master, Chu Yue'er is a performer, not an escort. She sells her art, not her company."
Jun Mo Xie raised an eyebrow. "Oh? A rare flower, indeed."
The madam bowed slightly. "She refuses all offers beyond her performances. Even the Prince failed to sway her."
"Is that so?" Jun Mo Xie mused, rubbing his chin.
Then, without another word, he reached into his sleeve and retrieved a heavy pouch, tossing it onto the table with a dull thud.
The madam's eyes widened. The weight of it alone spoke volumes.
"I'm sure she'll reconsider," Jun Mo Xie said, his tone lazy. "After all, money can be quite persuasive, can't it?"
The madam hesitated for only a moment before greed overtook her hesitation.
She bowed deeply. "Of course, Young Master. I shall speak to her at once."
As she moved towards the distant corner, Jun Mo Xie leaned back, swirling his wine cup.
His smirk widened.
Now then… let's see what secrets you're hiding, little musician.
----
After a few minutes, inside a private room
Jun Mo Xie lounged on a plush seat, surrounded by a bevy of courtesans, his eyes half-lidded as if intoxicated.
Before him, Chu Yue'er played her guqin, her slender fingers gliding over the strings with practiced grace. The melody was soft yet sorrowful, carrying an ethereal beauty that seemed out of place in such a debauched setting.
Yet, even as she played, her heart burned with concealed hatred.
She loathed this place.
She loathed the men who indulged themselves without shame.
And above all, she loathed Jun Mo Xie.
"Heh… You know… women truly are the most divine creation under heaven!" Jun Mo Xie drawled, his voice thick with feigned intoxication as he lazily swirled the wine in his cup.
The courtesans giggled, pressing closer to him.
"Young Master Jun, your words flatter us too much!" One of them cooed, placing a delicate hand on his arm.
"Flatter?" Jun Mo Xie blinked as if he had just heard the most ridiculous thing in the world. He dramatically placed a hand over his heart. "Beauty such as yours cannot be flattered—it can only be worshiped!"
The women burst into laughter, charmed by his ridiculousness.
Chu Yue'er, however, barely contained her disgust.
This pig.
This detestable, womanizing fool.
To think that a man from the Jun Family was behaving like this—it made her stomach churn.
She kept her gaze on her instrument, her fingers plucking the strings, but her mind seethed with rage.
Her father… her family… everything had been ruined by that wretched clan.
And now, she was forced to perform before their so-called 'debauchee'?
How humiliating.
How infuriating.
"Ah, but you…" Jun Mo Xie suddenly turned his gaze to one of the courtesans leaning against him. "Your eyes are like the finest jade—no, no! Like the glimmering stars above!"
The woman giggled. "Young Master Jun, you must be very drunk to say such things~"
"Drunk? Me?!" Jun Mo Xie laughed, tilting his head back theatrically. "Nonsense! I am simply intoxicated by beauty!"
His words elicited another round of giggles.
"But!" He raised a finger, pretending to be deep in thought. "How could I forget about you, my lovely fairy?"
He turned to another courtesan. "Your lips are like the petals of a freshly bloomed rose... so tender, soft, and oh-so-tempting!"
The women laughed again, some blushing, some playing along.
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