Ladies Street.
It is located at the intersection of southern and western Piltover, connected to the most prosperous area, Sapphire Avenue, and occupies a large portion of both the southern and western regions.
Walking to the end of Ladies Street and turning left quickly leads to Clockwork Avenue, then circling back to Jindai Luo Sphere Plaza, which is the central area.
Durin first went to a nearby tavern to take a bath and wash his Mage Apprentice robe, then rode in Mr. Wes's steam car all the way to Ladies Street. The most iconic building on the entire street was a large fountain sculpture standing at the crossroads.
A stone sculpture of a woman, exquisitely carved to be alluring, with a curvaceous figure, holding a vase-shaped stone in her hands, from which clear spring water continuously flowed.
Cars drove on the wide street, where even carriages and cars could travel side-by-side without pressure, and pedestrians bustled.
Various courtyards lined both sides, and many scantily clad women stood on the street, enticing every passerby who came here for pleasure.
They were the greatest feature of Ladies Street—the Geishas.
Mr. Wes, in the driver's seat, spoke in a frivolous tone: "Those soliciting business on the street are all doing the cheapest flesh trade and don't spend money on health checks... Hmm, you understand. Many apprentices from the workshops and communities like to come here to spend."
I understand!
It's just unsafe and easy to get sick.
You're taking me to a legitimate establishment, right!
Durin thought silently.
After a short while, the steam car stopped at a four-story building with a private courtyard. Various carriages and steam cars were parked outside the courtyard. Inside the courtyard, violin and orchestral music could be heard, along with clear soprano singing.
The plaque on the courtyard gate read in flowing calligraphy: "Heaven on Earth."
Hmm... a very vulgar name.
Damn it, but they play it elegantly inside.
Durin silently commented in his mind.
A greeter, about sixteen or seventeen years old, wearing a red uniform, jogged up. He had dark skin, a high nose bridge, and high cheekbones.
Especially when he saw Durin in his Mage Apprentice robe and the wealthy Mr. Wes getting out of the car, a brilliant smile immediately appeared on his face.
"Mr. Wes, the usual?" the greeter asked enthusiastically.
"The usual," Mr. Wes nodded and asked, "Are there any private rooms available?"
"There should be; there aren't many guests inside yet," the greeter quickly nodded and replied, "I'll ask the lobby manager."
Saying that, he spoke into the walkie-talkie clipped to his collar: "Two VIPs, are there any private rooms available?"
"There's still one on the second floor," a crackling voice replied from the walkie-talkie.
Hearing this, Wes finally let out a breath and contentedly ordered, "Alright, arrange an Ionian Geishas who can sing traditional opera and play the guqin."
"Understood, please come in, both of you." The greeter led them into the courtyard.
Upon entering the courtyard, they saw over a dozen guests sitting in a magnificent hall, watching several Geishas dance on stage, drinking and chatting jovially.
Among those present were lavishly dressed traveling merchants, older Mage Apprentices in mage robes, and burly mercenaries in armor, embracing Geishas while drinking.
Led by the greeter, Durin and Wes ascended the wooden spiral staircase to the second floor.
Along the way, Wes whispered to Durin, "The minimum spend here is 5 silver lun coins, which is the table fee, meaning for an open table. But if you want a private room, the price is different. After all, the Geishas here are trained in all aspects; they undergo a physical examination every month and a talent assessment every four months."
"The top Geishas here can earn around 1 gold cogwheel in commission per night. Basically, after five or six years, they can buy a decent house in a relatively prosperous area of Piltover."
Listening beside him, Durin's heart pounded. A 5 silver lun coins table fee, and that was just for an open table; even after working hard to defeat a Giant Spider, he could only afford to consume in the main hall, without even the chance to get a private room.
He found it hard to imagine a top Geishas earning so much in one night, and it further updated his understanding of how exorbitant Piltover's housing prices were.
Mr. Wes continued, "So, the main customers here are usually members of various families, or mercenaries and adventurers, as they are the ones most willing to spend money. Oh, and officials from the Piltover City Hall also choose places like this for tea gatherings and entertainment, since it's reimbursable."
Durin silently sighed, thinking, "As expected of Piltover, where capitalism runs rampant; they even find creative ways to entertain themselves."
Upon entering the room, the table was set with six dishes: three meat dishes, one vegetable dish, a plate of fruit, and a soup.
There was also a pot of wine.
Wes first poured a glass of wine for Durin, then filled his own, and said with a slight choke, "Mr. Durin, first, I must toast you with this glass of wine. Otherwise, my son's departed soul would be torn by the Wolf Spirit, suffering immensely before returning to the underworld. It is also thanks to you that my son's remains can rest in peace!"
With that, he stood up from his chair and drained the glass.
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