Chapter 34: Freeloading Is an Art (Combined 2-in-1 Chapter)

East of the city, Yanle Street.

It wasn't even the hour of Xu yet, but flower lanterns had already been lit in the lanes of the pleasure quarter, and the sounds of strings and winds never ceased, accompanied by the peals of laughter from the girls.

The lane entrance was packed with carriages and horses, and heavily made-up madams were busy welcoming guests and seeing them off.

There were nobles in brocade and splendid robes, scholars in pleated skirts and Confucian gowns, and martial artists in tight-fitting gear with fierce auras...

But here, they all shared a single name:

Client.

Compared to the other brothels and unlicensed dens in the city, the girls of the Imperial Music Bureau were of higher quality—most had received proper training, beautiful and talented, skilled in song and dance.

As well as something no other place had—the female relatives of convicted officials.

Because of their special status, these women were especially favored by merchants, gentry, and even colleagues at court...

Yet the Imperial Music Bureau wasn't a place just anyone could afford. The "tea seat fee" alone was six taels of silver per person, and that was only the minimum—not counting the cost of hiring a girl.

Enough to make ordinary folk think twice.

Even so, most of the courtyards were full to bursting, and the popular ones even required advance booking.

Calling it a "money-burning pit" was no exaggeration.

Clip-clop, clip-clop—

The sound of hoofbeats rang out as several figures rode up.

They only reined in at the mouth of the lane; the fine horses raised their front hooves and let out shrill whinnies.

The bystanders cried out in alarm and instinctively dodged aside.

A young master in brocade robes shouted angrily:

"Who's so rude as to ride through the ward—"

The moment he saw the horse's body was blood-red with snow-white hooves, his eyes instantly cleared, and he pretended to gaze casually at the sky.

Blood-Red Steed, the exclusive special breed of the Celestial Qilin Guard.

In Ducheng, to a certain extent, the three words "Celestial Qilin Guard" were the rule itself.

The men dismounted, handed their reins to servants, and the madam was already swaying her waist as she came to greet them.

"Oh my, what a rare guest! Master Qin, it's been quite a few days, hasn't it? I thought you'd forgotten all about me."

Qin Shou drew a banknote from his breast, deftly tucked it into the madam's collar, and casually copped a feel. "Now that's not fair—I'd forget anyone before I forgot you."

"Oh, you~"

The madam's eyes gleamed with allure, and she went limp against Qin Shou.

Noticing Chen Mo's odd look, Qin Shou cleared his throat and said, "Is the seat ready? If our Squad Leader is slighted, I'll hold you responsible!"

"Squad Leader?"

The madam paused at the word and looked up.

It had been too dark earlier to see clearly; now she saw one of them standing tall and straight, his face fair as a jade crown, dressed in black profound robes faintly embroidered with silver patterns—truly extraordinary in his noble bearing.

The face seemed somewhat familiar...

"Squad Leader Chen?!"

The madam hurriedly bent in a curtsy.

This lord's name had been making waves in Ducheng lately.

He had been a regular at the Imperial Music Bureau before, but he had always asked for Gu Manzhi alone.

Some time ago, Gu Manzhi had suddenly vanished, and the entire Imperial Music Bureau had been locked down for several days—anyone who had had any dealings with her was rounded up.

Some of them hadn't been released even now; alive or dead, no one knew...

Rumors inside the Bureau ran wild—some said Gu Manzhi was a spy for the barbarian tribes, others said she was a demon in human form... but no matter the version, none could be untangled from Chen Mo!

"Enough, lead the way. A few more colleagues will be arriving later."

Qin Shou gave her rear a pat.

"Follow me, please."

The madam shot him a reproachful glare and led the group into the lane.

Watching the broad hips swaying as if they were about to fly into the sky, Chen Mo said to Qin Shou with a half-smile: "Didn't expect you to have a taste for this sort?"

Though her makeup was thick and her upkeep decent, the fine wrinkles at the corners of her eyes were hard to hide.

She had to be at least ten years older than Qin Shou.

"Boss, when it comes to the martial path I can't match you, but when it comes to the art of whoring, you can't hold a candle to me."

"Women like this have real flavor—plenty of experience, they know how to treat a man right."

"And compared to those young beauties, the ones with average looks and a few more years on them are easier to overlook. Give them just a little care, and they're moved to tears, ready to throw themselves at you heart and soul, and serve you so comfortably..."

"Not to mention, last time she didn't even charge me a single tael."

Qin Shou shared his expertise with a face full of pride.

Who says this madam is old? This madam is wonderful!

Chen Mo said with contempt: "Rising Eastern Dawn—you really are true to your name."

Qin Shou grinned.

Unashamed, and rather proud of it.

In any case, both sides were willing; being able to freeload was a skill.

They arrived before a courtyard; the plaque above the gate read "Elegant Studio."

The room was lively and noisy—seemed they were holding a tea gathering.

They pushed the door and entered. Several square tables were set up inside, with about a dozen people raising cups and drinking, chatting and laughing merrily.

The moment Chen Mo and the others sat down, they heard a man in a white robe holding forth: "My neighbor's second aunt's nephew serves in the Celestial Qilin Guard—he was there when they slew the evil fiend."

"He saw it with his own eyes—that Qin Wuxiang transformed into a thousand-zhang-tall demon, with twelve heads and twenty-four arms!"

"He just stomped once, and the earth split into a chasm!"

"And Chief Banner-Bearer Chen faced the danger without fear, let out a cold laugh and said: Hand grasping sun and moon to pluck the stars, none in this world compare to me! Feet treading yin and yang to fix heaven and earth, from primeval antiquity to now I am supreme!"

"With a wave of his hand, he slashed out a blade!"

"Guess what happened next?"

"Puchi…"

Qin Shou couldn't hold back his laughter, and said in a low voice: "Boss, did you really have that many lines that day?"

The other constables' bodies trembled as they too struggled to hold it in.

"…"

Chen Mo rubbed his brow.

This matter grew more and more outrageous with each retelling.

That Qin Wuxiang, though his methods were treacherous, in terms of true hard power probably hadn't even reached fifth rank—yet in these people's mouths he was almost a world-destroying demon lord…

"Why does my friend laugh? You don't believe it?"

The man turned his head at the sound, an unhappy look on his face as he spoke.

Qin Shou shook his head and said: "I just thought of something happy… no need, please continue."

Seeing they all looked spirited and not the type to be trifled with, the white-robed man said no more.

Having been interrupted mid-story, he'd lost the mood for bragging, so he raised his wine cup and drank with his companion.

……

Half an incense stick's time later.

The sound of strings and flutes rose, and several dancing girls stepped out from behind the curtains.

They were fair of face, slim-waisted with rounded hips, dressed in sheer gauze skirts, stretching their graceful figures as they danced lightly between the square tables.

The hems of their skirts fluttered lightly, and the spring glimpses inadvertently revealed made it impossible to look away.

And the dancing girls were also sizing up the guests.

If one took a fancy to someone, she would sit beside him, raise her wine cup and drink together—and the matter would be considered settled.

Guests could also take the initiative to choose, but in the end it would cost a bit more silver.

"Worthy of Qingya Studio, the quality is truly excellent!"

"Why do I feel that girl in the green skirt is looking at me?"

"Bullshit, she's clearly looking at me!"

Qin Shou and the others tugged at their clothes, straightening their backs ramrod-stiff.

Watching a few beasts madly competing for the ladies, Chen Mo disdainfully shook his head, then quietly tidied his hair, arranging himself into the pose of a gentleman awaiting his lady.

Although there was no lack of earthly beauties around him, most of them could only be looked at, not touched—the only one he'd ever 'tasted' was the Empress's foot.

As a martial artist with vigorous qi and blood, he too needed release—otherwise it wasn't good for physical and mental health.

A dancing girl in a red skirt swept her gaze across, saw Chen Mo with his clear spirit and fine bones, his bearing radiant as jade—and her eyes immediately lit up!

What a handsome Young Master!

Although the procedure was much the same, who wouldn't want to find someone easy on the eyes?

Taking advantage of the other sisters not yet noticing this hidden treasure of a boy, the red-skirted dancing girl stepped lightly to Chen Mo's side, her hips deftly settling onto his lap, her voice coquettish:

"Sir, would you care to share a cup with me?"

Chen Mo looked her up and down.

Delicate features, lightly powdered—about an eighty-point standard.

Beneath the sheer gauze, snow-white flesh seemed about to burst forth; her figure could be given ninety points.

"Can you do the splits?"

Chen Mo asked out of nowhere.

Little Red was briefly stunned, then understood, and said: "You mean the upward-pointing stirrup, sir?"

She raised her left leg above her head, and the two legs easily drew into a single straight line.

"Very good, you're the one."

Chen Mo nodded in satisfaction, reaching out to pull her into his embrace.

Feeling those strong, sturdy muscles, Little Red couldn't help being a little surprised.

This man looked clear-eyed and handsome, like a refined scholar—how could his body be so muscular?

Her cheeks flushed crimson, her eyes practically pulling threads of longing, she leaned close to Chen Mo's ear and breathed like orchids: "Sir, come inside with me…"

Just then, the door of the wine room was suddenly pushed open, and a group of people walked in.

Seeing Chen Mo seated at the banquet, they bowed and saluted:

"Chief Banner-Bearer Chen!"

"Apologies for arriving late."

Chen Mo turned to look—and froze on the spot.

He saw, among several Ding Fire Division constables, a woman standing there; beneath her blue-white long skirt a stretch of jade-crystal calves was revealed, her skin fair and flawless, her delicate nose straight and pert, her lips tender.

Yet her slightly cold, stern brows and eyes diluted that beauty, giving one the impression of someone to be admired from afar—anyone who dared to trifle would die.

"Boss, I'm not dreaming, am I?"

Qin Shou stared dumbfounded, muttering.

Slap!

Chen Mo raised his hand and slapped him across the face.

"Does it hurt?"

"It hurts."

"Then you're not dreaming… the hell, is that Li Yuan?!"

Chen Mo felt his worldview teetering on the brink of collapse.

Li Yuan had actually come to the Jiaofang Si, and dressed up like this to boot? If he wasn't seeing things, she seemed to have put on rouge as well?

The other patrons found it a little strange too.

What kind of client brings his own Miss?

Seeing Chen Mo with a girl in his arms, Li Yuan's gaze went cold, and she walked over to Qin Shou's side.

"Move aside."

"…"

Qin Shou silently rose and made room.

Li Yuan sat down beside Chen Mo, staring at him without blinking.

Chen Mo frowned and said, "Chief Flag Officer Li, this doesn't seem like a place you should be, does it?"

Li Yuan raised an eyebrow slightly and said, "Who says women can't come here? Can't I have a drink and listen to some music?"

"Fine."

Chen Mo couldn't be bothered to bicker with her.

As long as it didn't delay his real business, he let her be.

Li Yuan picked up her wine cup and took a hard swig; the strong liquor slid down her throat, and a faint pink bloomed on her cheeks.

Her gaze fell on Xiao Hong. Xiao Hong's heart skipped a beat, the hair on her back stood on end, as if pinned by a wild beast's stare; the crushing pressure made it hard for her to breathe.

"M-milord, this servant will just step away for a moment…"

Xiao Hong rose and hurried off.

It wasn't just an excuse—she really did need to relieve herself a little… Li Yuan was a sixth-rank martial artist, a blade-edge licker; even the mere leak of a wisp of aura was more than she could bear.

The other dancing girls, though they also fancied Chen Mo, didn't dare come within a hair's breadth in the face of Li Yuan's almost tangible killing intent.

As a result, this table was cold and deserted, no one daring to approach.

Chen Mo said helplessly, "You scared everyone off—who's going to drink with me now?"

Li Yuan turned her head aside and said softly, "Worst case… worst case I'll drink with you."

Chen Mo shook his head.

The point isn't the drinking—it's what comes after!

"What a shame, that girl could even do the splits…"

"So what, I can do them too."

Li Yuan rose indignantly, lifted her left leg high, and rested it on Chen Mo's shoulder; her long, supple legs stretched ramrod straight.

Meeting Chen Mo's stunned gaze, the corner of Li Yuan's mouth curled up. "Well? Standard enough for you?"

Chen Mo cleared his throat. "Ahem, Chief Flag Officer Li, you're wearing a skirt…"

"…"

Li Yuan's face changed and she hurriedly sat down, clutching her hem.

"Pink panties, huh? Chief Flag Officer Li, you've quite the maiden heart." Chen Mo said with a low chuckle.

"Shut up, y-you're not allowed to say that!"

Li Yuan's face flushed crimson, and she shot him an indignant glare.

She usually wore a tight short-hung outfit; this was her first time in a skirt, so she simply hadn't thought of such things.

"Still, this outfit doesn't really suit you…"

Chen Mo stroked his chin, studied her for a moment, and said, "Chief Flag Officer Li would look far better in leather pants."

Li Yuan's greatest features were her absurdly long legs and her full, pert bottom, but the slightly loose skirt concealed both of those advantages.

Li Yuan's brow knit slightly.

This skirt was one she'd specially borrowed from the girl next door, and she'd even had her help apply some light makeup—otherwise she wouldn't have arrived so late.

And yet this fellow was still being picky?

"…What are leather pants?" Li Yuan couldn't help but ask.

Chen Mo put on a mysterious look. "Even if I told you, you wouldn't get it. If I get the chance, I'll get you a pair."

"Give them to me?"

"This man is giving me clothes—does he mean to have me wear them for him? Hmph, then I'll have to think it over."

For some reason, Li Yuan felt an inexplicable, faint sweetness in her heart.

Chen Mo was calculating to himself:

"Xu Qingyi's thong, Li Yuan's leather pants, and right—I'll get stockings for the Matriarch too… tsk tsk, damn, I'm a goddamn genius!"

……

"Ah, what a pity, Miss Yu'er never showed herself."

"I hear her qin skills are unrivaled, on par with the former 'Fairy of the Qin,' and her looks are even more stunning…"

Several cups of strong liquor in, the man in the white robe was getting a little drunk, and said with a look of regret.

A bystander shook his head and said, "Miss Yu'er is a lady of the Xu family; her fame is on the rise right now, and she has a shot at becoming the courtesan queen—she has to keep up her price, she can't just see clients so easily…"

But no sooner had he finished speaking than a melodious guqin melody drifted out from behind the curtains.

The music was silken, like a heavenly sound, as if an ephemerally blooming night-blooming cereus unfurling in the night—hushed and enchanting.

The crowd listened, utterly enchanted, unable to return to their senses for a long time.

"It's Miss Yu'er!"

"Lingering music, truly a fairy among zither-players!"

"To hear her play even one tune tonight, this trip has already not been made in vain."

At this moment, the curtains were drawn aside, and a woman of dazzling, matchless beauty walked over slowly. Under the gazes of everyone, she sat down on Chen Mo's whip.

Her luscious Zhu Chun parted slightly:

"Commander Chen, may I have a cup with you?"