As the lanterns were just being lit, aboard the Purple Garden Flower Boat.
Two maidservants were carefully holding medicinal herbs, bustling about in front of a jade bed.
On the bed, a woman was lying prone, receiving wound cleaning treatment from the maids.
One of the young women didn't grasp her strength properly, and it was slightly excessive.
The next moment, a scarlet light flashed, and the maid's beautiful head rolled to the ground. Her eyes were wide open, seemingly in disbelief that she had brought about her own untimely demise.
"Elder, spare my life."
The other maidservant knelt down with a thud, fear filling her eyes.
"Useless, if you can't even do a small task properly, what use are you to keep around."
Mu Yue grunted, irritation in her heart as red light shone in her eyes.
Seeing the murderous intent in Mu Yue's eyes, the other maidservant turned pale with fright. Just as she turned around, her head similarly fell off.
After killing them, the irritability in Mu Yue's eyes eased somewhat.
Her irritation stemmed from her wounds; at the moment, Mu Yue's bare back was exposed, her skin as delicate and white as milk.
However, on her smooth, snowy back, there were terrifying scars that marred her beauty.
These scars were from sword slashes; her flesh was cut and peeled back, revealing the squirming of her internal organs.
For Mu Yue of the Secret Realm, she wasn't lacking in Healing Pills, but inside these wounds, her whole body's meridians kept pulsating and collapsing, as if being struck by waves, causing blood vessels to rupture and meridians to break at times, and once she exerted herself, she would spew large mouthfuls of blood and turn pale.
This was a Cultivation Technique from the Guan Chao Pavilion called "Thousand Layers Water Scripture," which could use Spiritual Energy to stir up myriad giant waves, but also invade the body and destroy the blood vessels and meridians.
Mu Yue, who had just escaped back to this place this afternoon, now had her cultivation almost half ruined, with only one-tenth of her strength remaining. It would take at least a year and a half for her to recover from her injuries.
For someone at the top of the Secret Realm like Mu Yue, this was absolutely a heavy blow.
But being able to escape from the encirclement of seven from the Secret Realm was already fortunate for Mu Yue, especially considering that the three others who had accompanied her had already succumbed to their fates.
"Su Jie, I will not rest until I kill you..."
With intense murderous intent in her eyes, Mu Yue thought of Su Jie, the main culprit who had caused her to end up in such a state.
Although those from the Guan Chao Pavilion had attacked her, Mu Yue was well aware that seeking revenge against the Guan Chao Pavilion was just asking for suffering; only Su Jie was within her grasp.
Rolling over to get up from the bed, Mu Yue clenched her teeth against the pain and started to clean the wounds on her back by herself, following the injuries.
And Mu Yue didn't know that the very Su Jie she was so fixated on had already sought her out.
"Mr. Su, please come inside quickly."
At the entrance of the Purple Garden Flower Boat, Su Jie, wearing a brocade robe and gently swinging a folding fan, took on the appearance of a young gentleman as he stepped onto An Yue City's most famous flower boat.
Seeing Su Jie, a madam who was greeting guests at the entrance immediately approached him with a welcoming smile.
"There seems to be quite a crowd here."
Walking jauntily into the spacious interior, Su Jie entered a large hall within the boat. It was adorned with long silken banners and colored sails, and the furniture, carved from redwood and embellished with gold leaf and pearls, exuded opulence and splendor.
Within the hall, women with graceful figures and charming faces were reciting poetry, grinding ink, playing music, and engaging in conversation with the guests.
The cabin also displayed various flower vases and incense burners, emitting a faint fragrance and enticing aroma that refreshed the spirit and subtly stimulated, enticing the innermost desires of men.
"What kind of interesting activities do you have here?"
He casually tossed a few silver ingots, delighting the madam as her eyes lit up at the sight of the lavish patron.
"Seeing as Mr. Su is unfamiliar here, this must be your first visit to our Purple Garden Flower Boat. We have singing and dancing performances, and you can also engage in drinking and poetry with the literati here. You could fence to liven up the mood, and we have clean officials for company. Bai Lian, come accompany this gentleman."
The madam brought over a pretty woman dressed in a white skirt, with a slender figure and an innocent-looking face.
"How should I address you, sir? My name is Bai Lian, and I'm at your service."
Bai Lian bowed slightly, her face showing just the right amount of smile, like her namesake, as if a white lotus were blooming.
As she spoke, Bai Lian approached him proactively, though still maintaining a reserved air, not making any overly intimate gestures.
"My surname is Su. I've heard that An Yue City has Four Great Courtesans, all on your Purple Garden Flower Boat. Have them come out and let me have a look."
Su Jie scanned the surroundings, speaking very arrogantly.
"Mr. Su, the courtesans don't just come out to greet guests . You need to first gain their approval to have the chance to pour out your heart."
The madam shook her head repeatedly, tactfully refusing Su Jie's request.
"Mr. Su, did Bai Lian do something to displease you?"
Bai Lian showed an apt trace of sorrow on her face, her delicate frame swaying like a willow, invoking pity.
"Heh, you're not my target."
Su Jie pinched Bai Lian's cheek and took out a gold bar from his bosom, slapping it onto the table. The dazzling gold bar shone brightly under the light.
Bai Lian's eyes sparkled with heat, noting Su Jie's generosity and wealth.
Though she was a Cultivator, she was only an Outer Disciple of the Desire Sect. Gold was also a spiritual material, and if she could attract Su Jie's heart and make him fall head over heels for her, wouldn't that mean a considerable fortune in the future?
"Mr. Su, that's not how things are done here; the courtesans aren't swayed by money alone. You need to show sincerity. If you're genuinely interested, I can tell you about the courtesans personally. While I can't guarantee that you'll get to meet them, I can assure you that you won't be disappointed."