Banruo City, Huancai Pavilion.
Shang Hua wore a face veil of red gauze.
Before her was an enormous embroidered screen with exquisite landscapes.
She lowered her brows, her expression serious as she gazed at the zither before her.
Her slender, jade-white hands moved elegantly yet rhythmically.
The melody was melodious, carrying a hint of passion.
To those who understood music, this level of zither artistry had already achieved mastery.
Even to those who didn't understand, they could say it sounded pleasant.
After all, most good art possessed the advantage of being appreciated by both refined and common tastes.
However, no matter how well one played, one still needed to choose appropriate pieces for the occasion.
For example, playing unusual tunes at a funeral.
No matter how masterfully performed, one would likely be beaten.
Shang Hua tried her best to listen to each note she played.
To mask the unspeakable sounds that frequently filtered through from beyond the screen.
The melody was elegant, but the guests beyond the screen were not.
Men's vulgar language mixed with delicate,迎合 feminine voices.
Two extremely contrasting sounds were jarringly intertwined.
Shang Hua's hand movements grew increasingly rapid, her body bending forward as she tilted her ear slightly.
Trying to listen only to the melodious zither music.
Just a little longer... and she could leave this nauseating place.
Suddenly.
Bang—
An unexpected sound made Shang Hua involuntarily raise her eyes.
She saw a not-insignificant piece of silver thrown onto the platform.
The screen on the platform wasn't fixed on all four sides but hung suspended in the air.
This design had a purpose.
Those who could perform behind this screen would become one of the future top courtesans championed by Huancai Pavilion.
Apart from having exquisite appearances, they had to be proficient in at least one of the four arts—zither, go, calligraphy, and painting.
Moreover, their temperament was different from those of West Niuhe Continent.
They were cultivated as much as possible to have a distinctive allure like those of other great continents.
Currently, Shang Hua was still a pure courtesan, not required to receive guests.
At most, she would perform music behind the curtain, wearing a veil.
Only rarely would she need to serve tea and pour water, chatting briefly with guests.
But physical contact was forbidden.
After all, Huancai Pavilion knew how to sell courtesans at higher prices.
So they never coveted petty profits before them.
However, naturally, they didn't let slip any opportunity to make money.
This screen was designed precisely for that purpose.
Wealthy people below could throw real gold and silver onto the platform.
The screen was designed to be breakable—if one was willing to spend money, and spend enough.
The screen could be knocked open, allowing a glimpse of the pure courtesan wearing her veil.
Naturally, even if one saw her, it served no real purpose.
But the act of breaking rules itself.
Would give people a sense of achievement.
Or perhaps a peculiar sense of honor.
And so some would spend lavishly for this.
A pure courtesan hidden behind a screen, her face unseen—so what?
I can use silver to smash open the screen and let everyone have a look.
Shang Hua's zither-playing paused, the elegant music abruptly stopping.
Bang—
Another piece of silver smashed against the screen.
Shang Hua gazed in terror at the screen being knocked open.
Then hurriedly closed her eyes, her hands frantically feeling for the zither again.
"What song are you playing?"
A frivolous and arrogant male voice pierced through the screen, disrupting the zither music.
Striking directly at Shang Hua's heart.
"What kind of place is this? You should play appropriate songs! Can you play 'Eighteen Touches'?!"
The words hadn't finished, and the silver continued smashing against the screen.
Shang Hua felt goosebumps rising all over her body.
Her hands instinctively began playing again, not responding.
"This expression is more theatrical than an actor's. This appearance is truly innocent."
"Do you think a pure courtesan never has to receive guests in her life?"
The zither music paused, then suddenly became disordered.
"You just wait. Someday you'll beg me to let you play 'Eighteen Touches'..."
Before he could finish speaking, that arrogant man's words were suddenly interrupted by another voice.
"What are you touching? I was listening quite comfortably. What are you hollering about out here? Is there nothing left in your brain?"
Shang Hua stopped her zither music and raised her gaze.
The screen that had just been knocked open slowly fell.
Through the gap, she glimpsed a young man in luxurious clothes standing up, his posture upright and straight.
Just one glance, and the screen fluttered down, obscuring everything from view.
"Who are you? Do you know who I am?"
"Whether you're a turtle or a tortoise, I have no interest. But comparing status and wealth, young master has never lost."
At this moment, the main hall had quieted, leaving only the voices of these two.
Shang Hua watched the screen, listening to the sounds.
"Thousand taels in gold notes! Press it onto the platform! A few scattered pieces of broken silver shouldn't be disgracing the platform! Shameful!"
"If you want to compare status with young master... I'm afraid even your father would have to come kneel and apologize to me."
"If you don't believe it, try touching me with your finger today!"
After these words fell, silence reigned for a moment.
Then the sound of everyone's laughter rose.
Shang Hua knew the frivolous young lord had backed down.
Shang Hua waited a moment, but the young man who had spoken up didn't say anything further.
He didn't even ask her to continue playing the zither.
After a brief pause, Shang Hua took a deep breath and began playing the zither again.
Beyond the screen.
Chu Xingchen sat calmly in the VIP seat.
Ignoring the glances from young ladies around him, he turned his gaze to Xu Jin beside him.
He smiled and said:
"不愧是玄清天宗核心弟子,东西带的真是齐全." (Worthy of being a core disciple of Mystic Clear Heaven Sect, truly well-prepared.)
Xu Jin looked at the thousand taels in gold notes pressed before the screen.
He had spent his own money, yet Chu Xingchen had taken all the glory.
But never mind—it was merely gold.
Xu Jin listened to the zither music that had resumed at normal quality.
Then asked quietly:
"I understand what you mean, but isn't this a bit too conspicuous?"
"Do you have a better idea? I thought Banruo City was a slum, but it turns out to be a den of consumption."
Chu Xingchen leaned back carelessly in his chair.
"Having prestigious status makes things easier to handle. Having money makes people willing to take risks for you."
"Besides, being a bit conspicuous might not be a bad smoke screen."
"If this identity really gets ruined, we still have a backup plan."
"However... are you certain that part of the wish power is heading here?"
"Or is it that you want to come here and enjoy something you shouldn't be enjoying?"
Xu Jin couldn't help but turn to look at Chu Xingchen.
Seeing the expression on his face that said 'you rascal, do you have some improper ideas?'
Who was it just now who came here as if returning home?
So smoothly and familiarly using his money to open the way?
And the wealthy person putting on an act had used his money.
The one enjoying everything was completely just him, right?
"I'm certain. What do you plan to do next?"
"Of course, scatter money freely. Let everyone in Banruo City recognize us two brothers."
"Do you still have many gold and silver notes with you?"
"Don't you have any?"
"Brother, I have nothing but clean sleeves. I never come to places like this, so how would I have any?"
Xu Jin said nothing, only revealing a look that said 'do you think I believe that?'
Chu Xingchen sighed: "Truly don't. With my status and cultivation level, do you think I'd have money and not be willing to spend it?"
Xu Jin heard this and sighed lightly.
He still took out some gold and silver notes from his spatial ring and handed them to Chu Xingchen.
What he said actually made sense.
Chu Xingchen accepted them with pleasure: "Don't worry."
"Once we become prestigious big-spending clients here, there's nowhere we can't go, no one we can't bring in to question."
Xu Jin looked skeptical: "Whatever you're planning, it better be proper business."
"Two young masters, greetings."
An extremely fawning mature female voice sounded.
Chu Xingchen and Xu Jin turned to look.
They saw a still-charming, gaudily dressed woman walking toward them with swaying steps.
Seeing no disgust on their faces, the woman's heart lifted with joy.
She quickly continued:
"Thank you, two young masters, for helping Shang Hua earlier."
"She just told me she hopes to serve a cup of tea to the young master who helped her."
Chu Xingchen nodded in understanding: "I see. I'll bring my brother over shortly. I'll give her face."
The woman was startled—this was the first time she'd heard of such a beauty repaying a kindness and bringing her brother along too.
She hesitated slightly: "This..."
Chu Xingchen stood up, his tone displeased:
"What's the matter? You look at my brother like he's stupid, like his brain doesn't work well, and you dare despise him?"
Xu Jin took a deep breath.
He only felt that the one despising him was Chu Xingchen.
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