"Mm."


    Chen Shuang nodded eagerly. She hadn''t expected Brother Yun to understand her so quickly; her biggest fear had been that he''d leave in anger.


    "By the way, while I was outside, I heard about the Flower Queen selection. Are you participating?" Qin Yun asked with a smile.


    "Yes, Brother Yun. Although the sisters in Yan Feng Pavilion live together, there''s always some rivalry," Chen Shuang replied with a laugh. "Even between courtesans from different establishments, competition is fierce. I’m not one to admit defeat easily—I have to fight for victory."


    Qin Yun smiled. "Where there are people, there’s conflict. It seems even courtesans have their own intense rivalries."


    "Even fiercer than most other places," Chen Shuang chuckled. "The greater the fame, the more money we earn, so the stakes are high. Many courtesans have wealthy patrons backing them, which makes the competition even more intense. Outwardly, some may act like good friends, but who knows how much resentment they harbor in private! Brother Yun, don’t you think such rivalry is quite amusing?"


    "As long as you’re happy," Qin Yun said with a smile.


    Qin Yun and Chen Shuang chatted about her life in the pavilion and some of his interesting adventures during his travels.


    "It’s about time I left. I’ve already overstayed by half an hour," Qin Yun said, standing up. Yan Feng Pavilion showed him respect, so no one dared to disturb him.


    "Brother Yun, you don’t need to visit me here anymore. It costs you money each time. If I have free time, I’ll come to see you at Qin Manor during the day," Chen Shuang said with a radiant smile. "Madam Xue, please see Brother Yun out."


    "Take care of yourself. If you ever feel wronged, come to me," Qin Yun said, smiling as he stood.


    He left with Madam Xue accompanying him.


    Chen Shuang stood at the door, silently watching Qin Yun leave.


    Inside the main building of Yan Feng Pavilion.


    As Qin Yun walked out, he spoke to Madam Xue. "If anything happens to Chen Shuang, you must let me know immediately. I understand the troubles a famous courtesan might face in a place like this. Throughout history, countless people have lost their lives because of beauty."


    "I understand. We’ve always been cautious. Yan Feng Pavilion provides good protection, and some veteran guards from the escort agency are always with her," Madam Xue replied.


    Qin Yun nodded. He walked over to Tian Bo. "Bo, let’s go."


    "Not staying to watch more?" Tian Bo was still enjoying the performance.


    "Enough watching," Qin Yun urged.


    "Alright." Tian Bo grabbed a couple of pastries, stuffing some into his mouth and carrying more. "So much food left untouched."


    As they walked out, many guests looked at Qin Yun with awe. Moments earlier, he had thrown the young master of the Liu family, Liu Qi, out of the building. That display of sword energy had left everyone in shock, proving he was a cultivator.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    "Master Qin, Master Tian, please take care!" The brothel’s madam greeted them warmly. Outside, servants had already prepared their horses.


    "Madam Xue, you may return," Qin Yun said with a smile, mounting his horse and leaving with Tian Bo.


    Madam Xue watched them leave.


    "Looks like life will be easier for Chen Shuang from now on," the brothel madam said with a smirk. "No one would dare openly trouble her now. By the way, Sister Xue, what’s the relationship between your Chen Shuang and Master Qin?"


    Madam Xue smiled. "Childhood sweethearts."


    She then turned and returned to the pavilion.


    "Childhood sweethearts?" The madam sneered after Madam Xue left. "If that were true, he would’ve taken her away long ago. Probably just a story to comfort Chen Shuang."


    On the way back, Qin Yun and Tian Bo rode side by side.


    "How did your talk with Sister Shuang go? Do you have any plans to deal with her contract? It’s nearly 20,000 taels of debt. Even for a cultivator like you, it won’t be easy," Tian Bo asked.


    The cool night breeze brushed their faces.


    Qin Yun shook his head. "She didn’t sell herself to enter Yan Feng Pavilion; it’s just a regular contract. I’ve confirmed it with the pavilion, but don’t spread this around."


    "Not a sell-body contract?" Tian Bo was surprised. "Then why didn’t you take her out?"


    "She’s already part of this world of dust and mist. Even if I take her out, she can’t marry into a noble family as a proper wife. She’s unwilling to be a concubine, and small families can’t protect her. She told me she’s happier now than living in lonely confinement within a manor. As long as she’s content, I’ll respect her choice. Since it’s a simple contract, she can leave when she wants in the future."


    "If she can leave, why stay in the pavilion?" Tian Bo frowned. "Brother Yun, you’re being foolish."


    "Life is short. Why care so much about others'' opinions? As long as she’s happy, that’s enough," Qin Yun replied.


    "But it’s still a brothel," Tian Bo said. "How can you let her stay in such a place? No matter what, you should take her out. Don’t let her have her way."


    "Do you look down on courtesans?" Qin Yun asked, glancing at Tian Bo.


    Tian Bo froze for a moment before muttering, "I think she’s blinded by the glamour and the attention of her admirers. She can’t go back and doesn’t want to."


    Qin Yun thought of the look in Chen Shuang’s eyes.


    "She’s not blinded, nor has she lost her way," Qin Yun said quietly.


    Back at Yan Feng Pavilion, Madam Xue returned to Chen Shuang’s room in the east wing.


    "Madam Xue." Chen Shuang sat writing quietly. "Has Brother Yun left?"


    "Yes, he’s gone," Madam Xue replied. "Chen Shuang, why don’t you just leave with Qin Yun and live a peaceful life?"


    "No!" Chen Shuang replied softly. "I can’t forget my brother’s death or the hundreds of brothers from the escort agency. I can’t live a peaceful life!"


    "Then why don’t you tell Qin Yun the truth? Your brother and the escort agency’s deaths weren’t just caused by monsters. The Bai Li family of East Gong County is behind it, colluding with monsters to commit atrocities," Madam Xue said urgently. "The Bai Li family is powerful, but Qin Yun is a cultivator. With his help, your chances of revenge would be much higher."


    "The Bai Li family," Chen Shuang murmured, her eyes icy.


    Monsters had caused havoc, but some powerful families had colluded with them, using their name as cover for murder and plunder.


    "The Bai Li family is the largest in East Gong County. Even the county governor fears them. Governors come and go, but the Bai Li family remains unshaken. Their patriarch is a cultivator in the Xiantian True Core Realm, over 200 years old, with many monsters under his command."


    "My Brother Yun has only just entered the path of cultivation. How could he oppose them? Asking for his help would only bring disaster upon him."


    "I’ve already lost one brother. I won’t lose another," Chen Shuang said softly. "I’ll stick to my plan. Beauty has always been a powerful weapon—enough to destroy families, cities, and even nations. I don’t aim to bring down a kingdom or a city, but I refuse to believe I can’t destroy a single family with my life’s effort."


    "Chen Shuang, there’s still time to change your mind. Even if you don’t tell Qin Yun now, you can wait until he’s strong enough. If you keep going like this, you’ll fall deeper and deeper, and you might never be able to turn back," Madam Xue pleaded, her voice filled with heartache.


    "The day I entered Yan Feng Pavilion, the girl named Xie Shuang ceased to exist. Only Chen Shuang, the courtesan, remains," Chen Shuang said as she continued writing.


    Madam Xue sighed and shook her head. She had tried to dissuade Chen Shuang many times, but her resolve remained unshaken.


    "Brother Yun," Chen Shuang whispered with a faint smile, "I’m so glad you came back."