"Boy, how dare you speak to my young master like that?" Before Chang Wei could open his mouth, his servant Lai Fu had already impatiently stepped forward.
Xu Zimei signaled Black Thirteen with a glance, and everyone heard a "clang" as a streak of blood sprayed from Lai Fu's neck.
Then they saw Lai Fu's body heavily fall to the ground.
"You killed him," Chang Wei stepped back in shock, exclaiming in horror.
"Junior Brother," Guan Zhenhai felt that something wasn't right as well, killing someone just like that was too impulsive.
"Go back and tell your father that I will personally visit the Chang Family tomorrow at noon," Xu Zimei said with a faint smile.
"You, you," Chang Wei pointed at Xu Zimei, struggling to find words, but in the end, he nodded and said, "Fine, our Chang Family will be waiting for you."
...
Watching Chang Wei hurriedly leave, Guan Zhenhai frowned slightly and asked Xu Zimei, "Junior Brother, why?"
"Alright, alright, I'll take care of it right away," the Bright Moon Pavilion's shopkeeper quickly came upstairs and, with the help of two workers, swiftly carried away the body.
Then he said to Xu Zimei with a smile, "If there's anything about today's meal that doesn't suit your taste, please feel free to say so. This meal is on the house for you talented disciples."
"Charge as usual, I'm not in the habit of running up a tab without paying," Xu Zimei said with a smile, shaking his head.
...
After the meal, Xu Zimei asked Guan Zhenhai with a smile, "Senior Brother Guan, does Heavenly Sword City have any brothels?"
"What brothels?" Guan Zhenhai quickly shook his head and said, "However, in our Heavenly Sword City, there is a place where many talented men often visit. I can take you there to have a look."
"You're talking about the Cloud Mist Pavilion, right?" Xu Zimei asked with narrowed eyes.
"Seems Junior Brother Zimo also has a taste for such pleasures," Guan Zhenhai nodded eagerly and said, "It's a pity that the ladies of Cloud Mist Pavilion don't sell their bodies, only their arts.
If Junior Brother really has the ability, making one of those ladies willingly follow you would indeed be a wonderful tale."
"Let's go have a look," Xu Zimei said with a smile.
Tang Huaiyuan, Xiao Yu, and Feng Buyu, the three of them, did not wish to visit such a place of pleasure and left ahead for their respective divisions.
But Xu Zimei and his party went to the Cloud Mist Pavilion.
The Cloud Mist Pavilion was located by the moat of Heavenly Sword City, a three-story pavilion built with Azure Cloud Bamboo.
Now, with the spring breeze caressing the face, the river's surface shimmered with ripples, and the willows on both sides swayed with the wind, creating a very pleasant scene.
In front of Cloud Mist Pavilion, the entrance was bustling. Two lovely and elegant girls greeted guests at the door, among them both graceful scholars and bloodstained martial artists.
On the river, beauties accompanied the talented as they composed poems and enjoyed the beauty of flowers and snow.
Xu Zimei and his companions walked into the Cloud Mist Pavilion, where the inside was very spacious.
On both sides, the seats were filled with guests, and in the middle, five lithe women were playing music and dancing.
Lin Ruhu displayed a generous demeanor, tossing a Spirit Crystal onto the table and shouted, "Madam, bring out your best girl, the top courtesan here."
"Oh, this gentleman looks like a new face," the madam of Cloud Mist Pavilion, a still-charming woman, sashayed over with a smile, twisting her voluptuous figure.
"Spare me the chatter, just call out your top courtesan for me," Lin Ruhu demanded, acting like a spoilt rich young master.
"What's the rush, young master? Our top courtesan, Miss Baiyu, isn't taking guests today," the madam chided as she caressed Lin Ruhu's chest, "How about I find you a few other girls to ensure the young master enjoys himself?"
"Why won't you take patrons? Is it because I'm not handsome enough, or is the money I'm offering insufficient?" Lin Ruhu handsomely flicked his nose and asked.
"It has nothing to do with either of those. I can't intervene in Miss Baiyu's affairs, but if this young master truly wishes to meet Miss Baiyu, there is still a way," the madam paused, then continued, "Miss Baiyu once left behind a piece of calligraphy and painting, stating that if anyone could answer the question posed by the painting, she would fulfill one request for that gentleman."
"That exciting, huh?" Lin Ruhu smiled and said, "Take me to see that painting."
Standing beside him, Xu Zimei asked with interest, "What's the full name of your Miss Baiyu?"
"Her surname is Ji, full name Ji Baiyu," the madam explained with a smile.
"Sword Dancing Immortal, Ji Baiyu," Xu Zimei murmured, then smiled.
The madam led everyone to a side hall, which had already gathered many scholars and literati.
On the wall directly opposite hung a painting; on it was a lifelike white crane.
The white crane stood in a dirty quagmire, with one foot on the mire while the other was slightly raised, resembling the stance of a golden-rooster standing on one leg.
"Miss Baiyu's question is, why does the white crane stand in the mud with this posture?" the madam said with a smile.
......
"Because the white crane loves cleanliness and doesn't want the mire to soil it," Lin Ruhu tentatively replied.
"That answer is very close, but is not what Miss Baiyu wants," the madam said, shaking her head with a smile.
Beside him, scholars began to venture guesses in response.
"Because this white crane is practicing a peculiar form of martial arts?"
"The white crane stands this way to demonstrate its pride."
"The white crane is defecating!"
...
All were eagerly answering, but the madam only kept shaking her head calmly.
Some had come several times but still couldn't answer the question, only to sigh lightly, their faces filled with regret and disappointment.
......
"Gentlemen claim to be suave scholars, yet you do not understand the hearts of women," Xu Zimei said with a light chuckle, shaking his head.
"Why should you laugh at us, brother? We are all but novices," someone next to him said, looking at Xu Zimei: "Could it be that you know the answer?"
"What is so difficult about it?" Xu Zimei shook his head and said, "In fact, Ruhu had already half guessed it correctly earlier.
The white crane stands on one foot simply because it does not wish to be soiled by the mire.
Miss Baiyu, in fact, likens herself to the white crane. Even though she lives in a brothel, she still strives like the white crane to lift one foot, staying unsoiled amidst the filth—pure and unsullied."
On hearing Xu Zimei's explanation, a light seemed to dawn on the people present, and the puzzles in their minds cleared instantly.
"Please wait a moment, young master. I will go and consult Miss Baiyu," the madam said, a trace of surprise flashing in her eyes, as she quickly spoke.
...
Watching the madam leave, everyone on scene seemed stirred up, each inquiring after Xu Zimei's name.
But Xu Zimei just shook his head and whispered to Shili Changkong at his side, "Stick with me when we go up later; this woman is not just any ordinary brothel woman!"