Chapter 128: The Ethereal Courtesan, Miss Piaomiao

Romance and intrigue are found in every world, and the Divine Dragon Continent is no exception. In fact, the more prosperous a place, the greater the demand for such diversions. The bustling imperial capital of the Mad Martial Empire was exactly this kind of place.

"Boss, I never would have guessed you were into this sort of thing. I really couldn't tell!" After Xiao Hui and the others had left, Niu Wuji gestured toward Wu Tian with a suggestive smirk.

"Give me a break. I'm a man, too, but I'm not like what you're thinking. I'm a very proper person; I'm just looking to relax tonight!" Wu Tian shrugged.

"Boss, stop putting on an act! Wait here, I'll go ask around to see where the fun spots are." Niu Wuji said, his face full of glee.

He ran over to a passerby on the side of the road and grabbed him. "Brother, I'm new to the capital and unfamiliar with the area. I wanted to ask if there are any fun places here—you know what I mean!"

The man looked at Niu Wuji with a knowing, lecherous glint in his eye. "Brother, you’ve asked the right person. I know the capital like the back of my hand. This is a great city; as long as you have money, you can have fun anywhere! See that large building over there?"

He pointed toward a large, three-story pavilion not far away. It was bathed in a warm red glow and swarmed with a constant stream of people—clearly the liveliest spot in the vicinity.

"Yeah, I see it. There are so many people over there," Niu Wuji remarked, squinting at the location.

"That is the largest brothel in the entire capital, the 'Yan Hong Pavilion.' Let me tell you, the women inside are simply—tsk, tsk..." The man began to drool at the thought.

"Brother, do you frequent that place often?"

"Sigh... it’s embarrassing to admit, but between my low cultivation and my lack of funds, I have no qualifications to enter such a place. Those who go inside are either powerful, influential, or wealthy. How could I go there often? But if you have money, you should definitely go and have some fun. And you're in luck today—the Yan Hong Pavilion’s top courtesan, 'Piaomiao,' is performing tonight. It’s well worth the trip!"

"Lady Piaomiao? Who is she?"

"It seems you really know nothing about the capital. Lady Piaomiao is the most famous courtesan in the Yan Hong Pavilion. She only performs, never sells her body, and no one has ever seen her true face. Yet, the young masters of all the great noble families in the capital vie to please her. To be honest, I once accidentally heard her play a piece, and it was simply the music of the heavens!"

"A woman who performs but doesn't sell herself is being hyped up this much? You aren't just blowing smoke, are you?"

"If you don't believe me, go see for yourself how many people are chasing after her. It should be starting soon; if you hurry, you can still make it!"

"Alright, brother, thanks for the tip. I’ll go check it out right now!"

Niu Wuji returned to Wu Tian and said, "Boss, about that place..."

"I heard everything you said. Let's go."

Wu Tian and Niu Wuji headed toward the brightly lit Yan Hong Pavilion. From a distance, it hadn't seemed like much, but as they drew closer, they were struck by the sheer scale of the place. Although only three stories high, the pavilion stretched over a hundred meters in length. The street was clogged with a constant flow of people, and many heavily made-up women stood outside, beckoning to passersby.

"Young masters, come in and have some fun! We have many beautiful girls here for you to choose from!" As they approached, the madam of the house immediately latched onto Wu Tian and Niu Wuji.

"We want to see Lady Piaomiao perform. Is that possible?" Wu Tian asked with a smile.

The madam looked troubled. "Oh, you're here for Lady Piaomiao? So many people have come for her that there aren't many seats left. Would you two..."

Wu Tian understood the look. He produced ten taels of gold and said, "This is the admission fee. Is it enough?"

The madam’s eyes lit up at the sight of the gold. She took it and replied, "Enough, of course it’s enough! Follow me, young masters!"

The madam led them inside. The interior was even more expansive, thick with the scent of perfume and filled with the sounds of laughter and the sight of men and women embracing. Wu Tian wasn't particularly interested in the scene, but Niu Wuji was wide-eyed and staring at everything; had it not been for Wu Tian, he likely would have wandered off already. The madam brought them to a large door guarded by several high-level cultivators, clearly not a place for just anyone to enter.

"Young masters, this is it. Please," the madam said as she pushed the door open.

Wu Tian and Niu Wuji stepped inside and were immediately stunned by the sight before them.

Hundreds of people were seated in a massive hall, with elegant, private balconies overlooking the floor for those of higher status. Seeing so many people gathered for Lady Piaomiao was truly staggering.

"Holy crap! There are so many people here to watch her perform. It’s unbelievable—is this Lady Piaomiao really that magical?" Niu Wuji exclaimed.

"Let's find a place to sit before all the spots are taken."

They found a seat in a corner, the only place left with room.

Suddenly, a gorgeously dressed woman stepped onto the stage and said with a smile, "Respected guests, thank you all for coming. Please, quiet down, for the Yan Hong Pavilion’s top courtesan, Lady Piaomiao, is about to begin her performance. We hope for your cooperation."

"Cooperation? Of course we'll cooperate! We'll shut up right now!" The crowd erupted in excitement before falling into a dead silence, all waiting for her appearance.

*Ding-dong!*

The sound of a zither echoed, clear and ethereal like a babbling brook, followed by a moving melody. The music played, but Lady Piaomiao was nowhere to be seen.

"Where is she? Why hasn't she come out yet?" Some in the crowd began to grow restless.

"Exactly! Come out! We came to see the lady, not just listen to music!"

Just as the crowd grew impatient, a red curtain was slowly pulled aside to reveal a translucent white veil. Behind the veil, the silhouette of a woman with a graceful figure could be seen, sitting and playing the zither.

"She's out! Lady Piaomiao is finally here! But she’s still behind a veil—how annoying!" the people around Wu Tian complained.

*Dum, dum, dum...* The pace of the zither music began to quicken. The crowd felt a tremor in their hearts, as if they were being drawn into the melody.

*Ding!*

"Player Wu Tian has been targeted by a high-level illusion technique. Please be alert!"

Suddenly, the system notification rang out in Wu Tian's mind.