Chapter 35: You Mustn’t Lay a Hand on This Woman

Night.

*Whoosh—*

Chen Tiansheng opened his eyes and exhaled a turbid breath. As he stretched his limbs, he felt the pain in his internal organs had vanished, and his body was surging with strength.

"What a terrifying technique! I never imagined that by combining it with the Yin-to-Yang transmutation of the 'Art of Mastering the Chamber,' it would possess such healing capabilities!"

Chen Tiansheng was overwhelmed with pleasant surprise. Internal injuries are the most difficult to heal; the wounds he sustained today would have required at least three months of medicinal treatment. Yet, through the "Ten Thousand Yin Soul-Devouring Technique" combined with the "Art of Mastering the Chamber," he had recovered in a mere half-day. Furthermore, his internal organs seemed even stronger than before. If it had such heaven-defying effects on internal injuries, it went without saying that external wounds would be no match for it.

Most importantly, while undergoing the Yin-to-Yang transmutation, the proficiency of the "Art of Mastering the Chamber" was rising rapidly. It had already reached 10,000 points; with another 90,000 to go, it would evolve into the "Art of Controlling Women." Not only would this enhance the Yin-to-Yang transmutation, but it would also grant him a special skill: "Yin-Stealing."

All things in the world are divided into Yin and Yang, and humans are formed by both. Without Yang energy, a person dies; likewise, without Yin energy, they perish. With the ability to "Steal Yin," he could integrate it into his martial arts combat, siphoning Yin energy from his enemies to bolster himself and weaken them. This shift in balance would place him in an invincible position. Even ordinary punches and kicks would become chilling, lethal blows, compensating for his current lack of advanced combat techniques.

After some deliberation, he decided to temporarily pause using the "Ten Thousand Yin Soul-Devouring Technique" for body tempering and focus solely on increasing the proficiency of the "Art of Mastering the Chamber." Once he had enough proficiency, he could resume tempering; after all, relying purely on one's physical body without any tricks or skills would ultimately be insufficient.

With his mind made up, Chen Tiansheng dressed and headed out. It was already night, and the Sixiang Tower was at its most bustling hour. There were no maids standing outside Yue Wumiao’s door, suggesting she was not in her room. As he pondered this, the sound of a melodious zither drifted up from below. When the sweet singing began, the noisy crowd suddenly fell silent.

The zither music was long and lingering, the singing ethereal. Together, they flowed through the heart like a gentle stream, instantly calming restless minds as if no worldly trouble could compare to these wafting notes.

*Yan Sect Sorcery!*

Chen Tiansheng narrowed his eyes. Having attained the entry-level of Yan Sect techniques, he possessed a greater ability to resist such arts than the average person. Even so, the music had nearly pulled him into its trance—a testament to how terrifying the performer’s skill truly was. He wondered who possessed such talent.

Driven by curiosity, Chen Tiansheng walked downstairs. From the staircase, he could overlook the red stage in the courtyard. A woman sat within a red canopy, plucking a paulownia zither and singing. Men and women crowded the courtyard and corridors, all staring in a trance, listening intently.

*Yue Wumiao!*

Chen Tiansheng recognized the woman behind the red canopy. He was amazed that she possessed such skill with the zither and voice. She was truly worthy of being the top courtesan of Qingzhou Prefecture; she clearly did not rely on her looks alone to hold that position.

What puzzled him was that Yue Wumiao possessed exquisite charm arts. Logically, using such arts should have made the patrons of a brothel increasingly agitated rather than entranced. Could it be that she understood two different types of Yan Sect sorcery? She was so young, yet her mastery of two such techniques was so profound—her talent was almost absurd. If it were a single technique capable of both soothing and agitating, it was far from ordinary; mastering it at all only further proved the extravagance of her talent.

The song ended. The crowd remained reluctant to leave.

"Thank you all, kind patrons, for your support. I offer this toast to you all, and now I shall take my leave to rest."

Yue Wumiao set down the zither, her voice like the tinkling of a clear spring. She picked up a prepared wine cup, faced the crowd, and drank it in one go. Only then did the patrons slowly snap out of their daze, erupting into thunderous applause.

"Wait! Where is the madam of this house?! Today, I, your grandfather, am booking this lady in red on the stage. Name your price!"

Just as Yue Wumiao set down her cup and prepared to leave, a luxuriously dressed, bearded man pushed through the crowd and shouted in a rough voice.

Seeing this, the madam hurried over, her face full of forced smiles as she explained, "Master Cao, Miss Yue only sells her art, not her body. She performs one song on the odd days of every month at the hour of the Snake. If you aren't satisfied, please come again next time. If you want a lady, we have plenty here, of every type you could imagine~"

Cao Kui was a commoner associated with the Sword Tomb Sect in Qingzhou Prefecture, responsible for selling off the sect's surplus goods in the city. Though these items were useless to the sect, they were highly coveted in the mortal realm. The "Sword Tomb Hundred Treasures" shop he established was the most successful immortal-style business in the city, making Cao Kui incredibly wealthy. Coupled with his ties to the immortal sect, even the City Lord treated him with respect.

In the past, Cao Kui didn't frequent brothels—not because he didn't want to, but because he had a wife from the Sword Tomb Sect and dared not stray. Recently, however, his wife had lost her life on a mission. Planning to remarry, he had set his sights on the top courtesan of Sixiang Tower, Yue Wumiao. After seeing her, his resolve only hardened.

Hearing the madam, Cao Kui didn't get angry. Instead, he laughed loudly for all to hear: "Selling art but not the body? Good, that means she’s still a virgin! I don’t like second-hand goods; those other sluts can't compare to Miss Yue!" He glared at the madam and snapped, "I am going to redeem her contract! What is the price? Speak!"

The madam knew who Cao Kui was—a man of the immortal path, someone who could kill without being bound by mortal law. Terrified by his glare, she retreated two steps, cowering as she smiled apologetically: "Miss Yue’s contract cannot be redeemed by anyone, Master Cao. Please forgive us."

Yue Wumiao hadn't been sold to Sixiang Tower; she had come of her own accord. Upon arrival, she had signed a contract stating she would only sell her art, not her body, and that her contract could not be bought out, among other terms regarding her performance schedule. For an ordinary person, Sixiang Tower would never have agreed, but Yue Wumiao’s extraordinary beauty and Yan Sect skills made her a profitable investment, so they signed the deal.

The madam was not the one in charge of the entire establishment; she only handled daily operations and couldn't make decisions regarding Yue Wumiao.

"A joke! A woman working in a place like this, and she can't be redeemed? I am going to redeem her today, and I’d like to see who the hell dares to stop me!"

Cao Kui laughed, and as he finished speaking, he moved to storm the stage and seize Yue Wumiao. The madam stepped forward to block him but was kicked into the crowd, vomiting blood before collapsing unconscious.

Faced with this sudden turn of events, the crowd dared not interfere. Everyone knew Cao Kui’s status; if they angered him and were killed, no one would be able to hold him accountable. As for the martial artists hired to protect Sixiang Tower, they were equally helpless against Cao Kui and could only watch.

Usually, the people behind Sixiang Tower had connections with the influential figures of Qingzhou Prefecture, so no immortal had ever caused trouble here. No one had expected such a thing today, and they were truly at a loss.

After kicking the madam aside, Cao Kui marched directly onto the red stage. He glared at the maids beside Yue Wumiao, who scattered in fear, leaving her alone on the stage.

"Miss Yue, you are so beautiful. It would be a waste for you to stay in this brothel. Come with me—I am the manager of the Sword Tomb Hundred Treasures in Qingzhou. You'll eat well, drink well, and have the chance to see the world of the immortal sects!" Looking at Yue Wumiao, who stood within arm's reach, Cao Kui couldn't help but swallow hard, his body flushed with heat.

Yue Wumiao remained calm. "If you truly have such intentions, please discuss it with the management of Sixiang Tower. Your actions today have left me quite frightened."

Cao Kui sneered, "Discuss? Discuss what rubbish! What I say goes; they have no right to negotiate with me! I am taking you away from this miserable place right now!"

Watching the blooming, delicate woman with fiery eyes, Cao Kui licked his dry lips and lunged to grab her arm, intending to drag her away. To his surprise, Yue Wumiao dodged his grasp. "Sir, please show some respect."

Seeing this, Cao Kui narrowed his eyes, a flicker of cruelty crossing his gaze. He roared, "You come here to play the whore, yet you act all righteous for me? Since you don't like it the soft way, I'll do it the hard way! Let's see who can save you today!"

He swept a menacing gaze across the room; seeing that no one dared to move, Cao Kui let out a triumphant, cold laugh. He stepped forward and reached out, his hand snapping toward Yue Wumiao’s shoulder.

Although Yue Wumiao had used Yan Sect arts to guide her energy and temper her body, she possessed no actual martial arts skills. Faced with Cao Kui’s sudden strike, she had no way to defend herself.

Just as Cao Kui was about to seize her, a figure plummeted from above, landing between the two. Facing Cao Kui, he caught the man’s outstretched hand.

"Sorry, but you can't touch this woman."

The light, calm voice reached everyone in the hall like the strike of a heavy drum against their hearts. Looking at the newcomer, they saw a handsome young man with a youthful face and deep, piercing eyes.

The one who had arrived was none other than Chen Tiansheng.