In the Blue Moon city, far away from the residential and central district, in a secluded corner of the commercial district lies a special place. During the day, it is much quieter compared to the hustle and bustle of the commercial district but shows its true face after the sunset.

  With flirtatious laughter echoing in the air and streets illuminated with the red hue of lanterns, the Pleasure district was open for business.

  "Big brother, how about you try me? You will be the first person to claim this body. Hey wait!"

  The carriage continued moving forward ignoring the cries of the woman. Ling Yun stuck out his neck to look at her. She was a young woman dressed in bright colours. Her face was painted so Ling Yun couldn't make out her age. She scowled at them before donning a flirtatious smile and calling for her next customer.

  "Um, Jin Hao-"

  "Forget about her. She is just a street whore. Your friend will definitely show you the best delicacies this city has to offer."

  "No, I'm not asking about her. What are you really planning?"

  "Hahaha! Trust your friend, I promise to show you a good time. Here, looks like we have arrived."

  The carriage drive past many establishments before stopping infront of a huge mansion surrounded by walls. There were two guards stationed at the gate. Li Wei showed a token and only after then they were given entry.

  Ling Yun got out of the carriage and saw it for the first time. The size was even bigger than Mu Feixue's house. Pink lanterns illuminated the place with blooming peach blossoms in the garden giving it an ethereal visage under the moonlight.

  For a moment he felt like he had entered the domain of noble or a king, but the sweet scent of perfume in the air and the plaque adorning its gate spoke of its true identity- the jewel of the Pleasure district, Thousand Fragrance Palace.

  ***

  "Young Master Hao, its been too long since you came here. The girls have been missing you."

  A woman who looked in her early thirties came to greet them at the door. She was wearing a high-waisted red skirt, with a low neckline showing a generous amount of milky cleavage.

  "Madame Feng it is a pleasure to see both you and your business in good health. I was planning on coming but-" Jin Hao laughed before gesturing to Ling Yun.

  "Tonight the main star is my friend. It is his first time here so I hope your establishment lives up to its reputation."

  Madame Feng's gaze fell on Ling Yun's uncomfortable face, analysing every detail before turning to Jin Hao. "Is he master Hao's little brother?"

  "No, no, no! I would never dare to think of my friend as a little brother." Jin Hao frantically answered. "Even if he is younger, he is far superior to me in every way. He is the only disciple of the great alchemist Mu Feixue and the name Ling Yun would be renowned by everyone in the future. Remember his name!"

  Madame Feng's eyes widened a bit and then she put on a seductive smile, focussing all her charm on Ling Yun.

  "So you are the renowned disciple everyone is talking about. My name is Feng Jiuniang and it's my pleasure to make your acquaintance. I hope Master Ling enjoys his time in our humble establishment."

  Ling Yun just silently nodded. On the inside he was cursing Jin Hao. He was feeling uncomfortable ever since he entered the Pleasure district.

  What made him think that I want to go to these types of places? Is this some sort of male bonding ritual between young masters of big clans?

  Damn, what if Mu Feixue finds out

  Thinking about that sent shivers down his spine. Because of Jin Hao's antics, a sword of death was now hanging over his head.

  I should've never accepted his friendship

  Madame Feng led them to the viewing platform. It was a large hall with lots of seats placed around a central stage. People sat together in groups drinking wine and ogling the girls dancing in the stage.

  In the Thousand Fragrance Palace, either you directly call for a courtesan you know and enter one of the private chambers if she is unoccupied or you can sit back and enjoy at the viewing platform and pick any girl which catches your eye.

  Except for some top courtesans, every girl after finishing their business comes back at the stage to entertain the customers, dancing throughout the night. Since it was his first time, Jin Hao chose to go to the viewing platform so that Ling Yun can pick his own preferences.

  Ling Yun and Jin Hao were sitting close to the stage getting a nice view. "So you and the Madame are pretty well acquainted?"

  "Of course. I'm one of their top customers." Jin Hao puffed his chest as if it was something to be proud of.

  A girl came and served them wine in two elegant golden cups. She was going to leave when Jin Hao told her to leave the jar.

  "Here, have a drink friend." Saying that, he finished his cup in one go. Having only bad experiences with alcohol, Ling Yun only pretended to take a sip.

  "Tell me what is the real reason you brought me to this place?" Ling Yun hoped that there really was one otherwise he would really cripple Jin Hao next time.

  "Hahaha! For what other reason does a man enter the brothel. You really say some funny things my friend. Hey, take a look at that one in the corner. Ah, I want to bury my face in that valley."

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  That's it!

  Ling Yun instantly stood up from his chair. "Jin Hao, I'm leaving. I am not interested in these types of things."

  "Friend I'm doing this for your own good. You are in the prime of your youth. I know studying is important but if you let it accumulate for too long, it could be very harmful."

  Accumulate what?

  "We young people should release some steam from time to time. It is very good for your body and mind. Also what use is a long life if it's without any pleasure?"

  Jin Hao filled his cup again before downing another one. His face was now flushed a little due to the wine and it made him bolder.

  "If you truly consider me your friend, stay right where you are. This night you are finally becoming a man!"

  Sorry but I never considered you one.

  Ling Yun turned around to leave but Brahma stopped him. "Where are you going? I told you to deepen your friendship with him."

  "Don't you see he wants me to- ... I nearly forgot who I was talking to. I'm not that interested in brewing wine."

  "Ling Yun I swear one day I will make you recognise the greatness of spiritual wine!" She said with a loud huff before continuing. "Don't you think it will be too rude to leave like this?"

  Tch. She's right. It would be too disrespectful.

  He sat back on his seat. Jin Hao's smile widened and he downed another cup. "I knew you wouldn't leave. You can pick whichever you want, every girl will give you a good service. Try to live a little."

  I will just sit here not picking any girl and make him wait. Jin Hao will soon get bored and give up and leave.

  ***

  Two hours had passed and both were sitting in the same place without getting any action. Countless girls left and new ones heve entered the stage. Occasionally Jin Hao would ask him to hurry up but Ling Yun would tell him that he is still in the middle of choosing. None of the girls present have caught my fancy, that was his excuse.

  They both were at a standstill, the only difference was that Jin Hao had gotten considerably drunker. He had been downing cup after cup to pass the time. Ling Yun hoped that he would fall asleep but the light remained shining in his tipsy eyes.

  While he was stalling, to pass time Ling Yun would sometimes watch the performance. Even though he wasn't interested in them, he still appreciated the dance. The girls were highly trained, their elegant and graceful movements mesmerizing the audience. But what he enjoyed the most was the music.

  The sweet melody of the zither resonated in the air. It produced a rich tone that lingered in the minds before the next string was plucked. There was something magical about the music. It created an atmosphere of merry-making, letting the customers loosen their restraints and let go.

  Ling Yun recognised that the one who was playing was far more skilled than him. He wondered how many customers were actually listened to it, understood how beautiful it is. He has closed his eyes to immerse himself when Jin Hao suddenly spoke up.

  "Friend, how you ever fallen in love?" His voice was slurring due to wine. Before Ling Yun could even answer, Jin Hao continued. "My first love was fairy Feixue."

  What?! Fairy Feixue, my master!

  "You know when I was fourteen years old, she came to my clan as a guest. That night I had a wet dream were she was bathing naked. When I woke up, I knew I was in love."

  In his drunkenness, Jin Hao was spilling his embarrassing secrets. Many things started to click for Ling Yun.

  "This is why I took the path of an alchemist to get close to her. I know she is far older and we could only be juniors to her. Such a majestic beauty would never give people like us a second glance, am I right?"

  Oh you are so wrong.

  "Yes, she could never ever be interested in people of our age." His voice was tinged with sarcasm but Jin Hao was too drunk to notice.

  "Exactly! This is why I finally gave up on alchemy, on her." Jin Hao took another gulp before slamming the cup loudly. "Only I can understand how much you are suffering in that house! Being so close to such an erotic woman without being able to even touch even a corner of her sleeves. It must be hell, right?"

  "Right." Ling Yun said with a wry smile as multiple images of his master riding him flashed in his mind.

  I wonder what would happen if I tell him. Either he would never believe or would just die with envy.

  "Young master Hao, it had been far too long since you called for someone. Is something wrong?"

  Madame Feng suddenly entered the scene. She knew Jin Hao's preferences, usually he would've gotten busy in the private chambers with one of the older women.

  "Why are you asking me? Ask him!" Jin Hao yelled at her. "None of your girls are pretty enough to get my friend's attention and you call yourself the jewel of Pleasure district!"

  Too drunk and fed up of Ling Yun's stalling, Jin Hao fired at Madame Feng. Ling Yun started to sweat, he had to control Jin Hao somehow before it leads to a fight with the owner.

  Madame Feng was unfazed by all this. She had been running this establishment for many years and had a plenty of experience to deal with such trivial matters. One look at Jin Hao and she knew he was not in his senses so she ignored his drunken rant. Then she turned to his friend.

  From what she had observed before, he clearly didn't want to be here. But how could she miss a chance to make a future customer? This was the Thousand Fragrance Palace, no man can leave with his pockets and balls full.

  "Young master, are the girls too ugly? Is there any defect in all of them?" She spoke in a demure innocent tone as if sincerely asking for his opinion.

  "No, no there is nothing wrong!" The boy leaned back trying to put as much distance as possible between them. She knew that the boy was too polite and would answer like this. Not wanting to give him time to recover, she quickly went around to his side and brought her lips near his ear, speaking in a soft whisper that only the two of them could hear.

  "Young master there is nothing to be ashamed of but is something wrong with your equipment?"

  She quickly stepped back as his face froze in shock before contorting in anger. The boy wasn't shy or timid so he wasn't scared of girls. What she had to do was to ignite his manly pride and the hot blood of youth will show its nature.

  Did she just call me an eunuch? How dare she question my manhood!

  He looked at her face and could see hints of pity in her eyes which further enraged him. He couldn't leave it like this and had to do something.

  "Jin Hao I've made my choice."

  Jin Hao who had started to slump on his chair lit up in excitement. "Friend yes, that's the spirit! Don't worry about the cost, on my name as the young master of Jin clan, I promise any girl you point your finger will warm your bed tonight."

  "I want her."

  The hidden smile on Madame Feng's face quickly fell as her gaze followed the direction of his finger. The one he was pointing at wasn't on the stage; partially hidden in the shadows was a young girl in a fox mask playing the zither.

  "Master you ... you couldn't possibly mean her?"

  "Is there a problem?!" Jin Hao's fist slammed on the table. "My friend had finally made his choice so don't make us wait too long. Also send Yuhuan in my chamber. I've missed her for too long."

  Not wanting to anger him further, Madame Feng swallowed her objections and ordered one or the serving girls to show them to their private chambers.

  ***

  Two woman stood outside the door, one was Madame Feng and the other was the girl in the fox mask.

  "Young miss, I'm sorry for this."

  If any outsider was present, he would be surprised to see Madame Feng, the owner of the Thousand Fragrance Palace bowing to her own staff, the girl who played the zither.

  "Don't worry, it was outside of your control."

  "I could never have imagined he would choose young miss. Does he know something?"

  "According to our reports, he is the disciple of that alchemist and hasn't spent much time in this city. I think it's just a troublesome coincidence."

  "But will young miss be fine?"

  "Don't worry about me. He will leave next morning without realising anything."

  "Call immediately if anything goes wrong."

  With that Madame Feng left leaving the girl alone. The girl didn't hesitate and opened the door.

  Ling Yun, let me show you a pleasant dream.