Chapter 523: Hun Xiang Ju

At the very end of an unremarkable alley, before a pavilion decorated with pink silk.

A carriage pulled by two monstrous beasts halted on the open ground before the pavilion.

Nearby, seven or eight similar-sized beast-drawn carriages stood parked, all harnessed to the same kind of two-horned, six-legged monsters; some of the more lavishly adorned carriages had attendants and maids waiting nearby.

After Wang Yu stepped down from the beast-drawn carriage with Yan Lingxiang, he glanced up at the plaque hanging above the pavilion’s gate.

In the center of the plaque, three large characters written in gold powder read: “Hun Xiang Ju.”

On either side of the gate stood a broad-shouldered, thick-waisted man.

From deep within the gate, faint laughter from young women drifted out, mingled with a heavy scent of cosmetics.

“Senior Yan, so this Hun Xiang Ju is a brothel?” Wang Yu shot Yan Lingxiang a look, utterly speechless.

“Hah! No need to thank me, brother. We’re still young among Foundation Establishment cultivators—what’s strange about visiting a pleasure house? Don’t you want to see what exotic beauties are like?”

“The women here are among the top in the Three Stone Quarries, and nearly all are half-breeds—nothing like our human beauties.” Yan Lingxiang patted Wang Yu’s shoulder, chuckled teasingly, then walked toward the gate.

“Ah, Master Yan! You haven’t been here in years—my lady often speaks of you.” A man with black fur on his cheeks, upon recognizing Yan Lingxiang, immediately bowed deeply in delight—he was a half-breed.

“Ah Wu, so it’s you. You’ve been guarding this gate since back then—still here? Should I mention to your lady that I’d get you a better post?”

“Master Yan, you jest. Serving my lady is my fortune—I have no right to complain. And this gentleman?” Ah Wu smiled innocently, his gaze finally turning to Wang Yu, hesitating as he asked.

“This is my junior brother, Wang. It’s his first time in the Three Stone Quarries. I need to ask your lady something—lead us there.” Yan Lingxiang spoke casually.

Wang Yu gave a slight nod, his spiritual sense automatically sweeping over the man—and his heart stirred.

He could not discern the man’s cultivation level—as if something on him masked his aura entirely.

“So Master Wang is also a high cultivator of the Bi Shui Palace? Since you’re Master Yan’s junior brother, you’re no stranger. I’ll inform my lady first, then escort you both to the inner courtyard.” Ah Wu replied without hesitation, pulled a transmission talisman from his waist, whispered a few words, then flicked his wrist—the talisman shot through the air toward the gate’s interior.

Hearing this, Wang Yu glanced again at Yan Lingxiang beside him.

So the owner of Hun Xiang Ju was the friend Yan Lingxiang mentioned—a woman, and likely a stunning beauty.

Yan Lingxiang ignored Wang Yu’s curious stare, instead leading him boldly through the gate behind the burly man.

Inside the main hall, gold and jade adorned every surface, lanterns hung high, and over a dozen tables filled the center, laden with delicacies; each table was crowded with men and women, most men flanked by two or three women.

In the center, surrounded by the tables, stood a small wooden stage where several mature women played lutes, performing cheerful melodies.

The guests seated around the tables ranged from white-haired elders to rosy-lipped youths, their auras varying in strength—some were low-level Qi Condensation cultivators, others Foundation Establishment, though the latter were few, only four or five in total.

Regardless of age, every man here was accompanied by beautiful women, all dressed in provocative attire—short skirts or sheer veils—bodies either voluptuous or petite, each undeniably alluring.

More striking still, some of these young women revealed furry tails at their hips, others had pointed ears, and some had green pupils—clearly distinct from ordinary humans; they were indeed half-breeds.

“Isn’t that Master Yan? You haven’t come to Hun Xiang Ju in ages!”

“Brother Yan, you’ve come again for our boss, haven’t you? When will you come to keep me company?”

“Giggles! It’s been only a few years, but Master Yan has grown even more handsome—will you stay the night in my room?”

Upon seeing Yan Lingxiang enter, the half-breed women all giggled and greeted him, utterly unconcerned as the men beside them grew scowling and hostile.

“Hah! You little vixens—you know I’m here for your lady, yet you still tease me? Afraid she’ll peel your skins off?” Yan Lingxiang laughed loudly, releasing his powerful Foundation Establishment aura, then shook his sleeve to reveal a green droplet emblem.

“A Foundation Establishment cultivator.”

“A disciple of the Bi Shui Palace.”

“I always heard the backer of Hun Xiang Ju was an inner disciple of the Bi Shui Palace—turns out it’s true.”

The Qi Condensation cultivators in the hall turned pale, lowering their heads; the few Foundation Establishment cultivators also showed wariness, whispering quietly to each other.

In the Chaos Region—even in this peripheral area where the Three Stone Quarries stood—the name Bi Shui Palace was enough to suppress most cultivators of the same rank.

Yan Lingxiang paid no mind to the reactions of the cultivators in the hall, walking with Wang Yu past the tables, through a small door at the hall’s rear.

After crossing a quiet garden, they arrived before a secluded courtyard.

Ah Wu halted, bowed deeply, and called out loudly:

“Lady, Master Yan and Master Wang have arrived.”

“Since you’ve brought them, you may leave and return to your duties.” A soft, melodious woman’s voice drifted from within the courtyard, like celestial music, making one reluctant to let it end.

“Yes, Lady. Gentlemen, please enter. I’ll take my leave.” The half-breed man replied, then turned and left without hesitation.

Before the courtyard, only Yan Lingxiang and Wang Yu remained.

“My dear, aren’t you going to bring your guest in? Must I invite you myself?” The woman’s voice remained sweet, but now carried a hint of pouting reproach.

Wang Yu froze at the words.

Yan Lingxiang sighed helplessly, then obediently stepped into the courtyard.

Wang Yu rubbed his chin, curious, and followed him in.

Around the small rock garden at the courtyard’s center, they saw a slender, graceful woman standing before a side chamber—her back nearly the perfect form a man could imagine.

Upon hearing their footsteps, the woman slowly turned around.

Wang Yu saw her face—and his expression changed drastically, shock surging through him.