Chapter 88: Finally Reached the Beauty Trap!

The clamor from both banks of the river drowned out everything.

Wei Lu and Zhang Huaiyu stood on the boat, faces flushed with shame, yet feeling utterly defenseless.

After all, Jinlou had organized the fighting arena, meticulously planning every step in advance, tailored precisely to each participant’s cultivation level.

This first trial was merely an appetizer, meant to stir the audience’s interest.

The second trial’s purpose was to weed out all the weak contenders, creating a dramatic effect where the two prodigies broke through simultaneously—so Jinlou wouldn’t have to pay out silver, and the audience’s anticipation would reach its peak!

According to Jinlou’s prediction, only the two top seeds could barely withstand the second trial; everyone else would fail—no one expected Xie Jinhuan to show up!

Not only did he appear, but his foundation was so solid that he effortlessly blocked every hidden weapon, his presence so intimidating that Wei Lu and Zhang Huaiyu had no choice but to avoid his sharp edge.

Thus arose the situation: “behavior was correct, yet the rules declared defeat”—the spectators would never accept this.

The owner of Jinlou, realizing a livestream disaster had occurred, was momentarily stunned—but years as a host gave him lightning reflexes, and he quickly patched it up:

“Master Xie is truly peerless in martial skill. Masters Wei and Zhang did not wish to withhold aid; rather, this trial was poorly conceived by Jinlou, leaving no room for assistance. The fault lies entirely with Jinlou. As compensation, everyone who passed this round will receive one hundred taels of silver and advance to the third trial!”

The furious crowd finally calmed down a little:

“That’s more like it…”

“I think Master Xie should be crowned champion outright—who else deserves that plaque?”

“No way, if he wins outright, there’s no show left. Master Xie will definitely come first…”

…

Xie Jinhuan, seeing everyone had passed and he wasn’t disqualified, quietly exhaled in relief.

Wei Lu had initiated this “social death” scenario, yet after two rounds, the hypocrite Zhang Huaiyu hadn’t been humiliated—instead, it was Xie Jinhuan who had startled him. He felt a flicker of resentment and turned to the owner:

“Master Xie’s righteousness and martial prowess are known to all here, but today’s trial is to determine who is the hypocrite wearing a mask of virtue!”

“Though the first two trials were difficult, failing them proves nothing—it’s not why I set up this arena.”

The onlookers, eager for drama, joined in the clamor:

“Exactly! We came to see who would be disgraced and humiliated—who needs to see who’s more righteous?”

“If the third trial is still off-topic, Jinlou’s reputation is ruined!”

…

Jinlou had taken the challenge, so it had to be handled properly. Fan Li smiled warmly and silenced the noise:

“The first two trials were ‘leave a line of retreat’—even if you lose, you keep your dignity.”

“If no winner emerges yet, this final trial will be to the death—only one victor remains!”

“The loser, even if not disgraced, will become a laughingstock of the capital.”

“So, everyone, before we begin, you may withdraw voluntarily…”

Anyone who had made it this far, knowing one hundred taels would become a thousand, would never quit—they shouted out immediately:

“We’ve come this far—how could we surrender without a fight? Reveal the trial!”

“Yes!”

The owner of Jinlou stroked his beard and declared loudly:

“It’s said ‘even heroes falter at the beauty’s pass’—this third trial…”

“Whoa!!!”

The thousands of spectators, finally getting the “main course,” erupted in excitement.

Some men howled like wolves; even the gossip-loving Lin Wanyi’s eyes lit up—clearly eager to see Xie Jinhuan’s downfall.

Yet amid the noise, one voice stood out:

“Huh?”

Gurgling… gurgling…

The drumbeat thundered!

The entire crowd fell silent, all heads turning to find which young hero had broken first.

Zhang Huaiyu and Wei Lu simultaneously turned to each other!

But then both froze, their gazes shifting to the righteous, pure-hearted Master Xie!

Linghu Qingmo’s dark eyes widened slightly, staring at Xie Jinhuan in disbelief—her expression clearly asked:

Why are you reacting so strongly?

Are you afraid—or excited?

…

Xie Jinhuan had finally reached the “Beauty Trap,” and now he felt both dread and anticipation, his gaze flicking toward “Dan Yang Yi Dian Hong!”

Prince Zhao De slightly spread his hands, expressing helplessness—his meaning clear:

“I’m one of the question-setters—I can’t leak details! Besides, I only said no courtesan danced—I didn’t say anything else.”

You little bastard!

Xie Jinhuan had been ambushed—he truly wanted to rush forward and break Zhao De’s legs—but seeing everyone staring, he suppressed the ripples in his heart, his expression calm as he gestured to his chest:

“I was shot a few days ago. Just now, my movement stirred my qi—no serious harm, I’ll recover in a moment.”

“Oh…”

The crowd nodded in understanding.

Fan Li quickly added: “Master Xie may rest before beginning—we all understand, no rush.”

Zhang Huaiyu sighed with admiration: “Master Xie, injured as you are, still fought demons through the night—your resolve shames us all.”

Wei Lu also looked with respect—he had accepted defeat to Xie Jinhuan today, and as long as he didn’t lose to Zhang Huaiyu, he was content. Now he declared with grandeur:

“The champion today must be Master Xie!”

“Even if both I and this fellow fall at the Beauty Pass, disgraced and humiliated before all, as long as I fall after him, I’ll be satisfied…”

“Hey? Master Xie, are you struggling to stabilize your qi? Need Wei’s help?”

“No, I’ll recover on my own.”

Gurgling… gurgling…

Xie Jinhuan faced the coming “true social death trial,” where only one victor remained—he couldn’t escape pressure.

After all, in other trials he was confident—but the “Beauty Pass” struck straight at his weakness…

He had painstakingly built his image as a righteous young hero—if he collapsed first, he’d be utterly disgraced…

But he’d endured ghost brides, specter girls, Big Ink, and little princesses—he wouldn’t be felled by some common courtesans.

With this thought, Xie Jinhuan silenced his inner turmoil and turned to the Jinlou owner:

“Since we fight to the death, the ‘opening thunder’ tactic won’t work—and there are two ladies present. How will the third trial proceed?”

The Jinlou owner smiled and continued:

“Master Wei’s original intent was to see who would first be disgraced. If a mere beauty merely flirted and preened, Master Xie’s lofty virtue would remain unmoved—and the others likely the same.”

“To determine a victor, this ‘Beauty Pass’ is unique. Jinlou guarantees that every one of you—even Master Xie and Miss Linghu—will feel ripples in your heart.”

Hearing this, everyone’s expressions turned grave.

Wei Lu, as a contestant, didn’t know the trial’s details, and asked:

“Then how do we tell who’s the hypocrite?”

“A true man is judged by deeds, not intentions—judged by intention, no one on earth is a sage!”

The Jinlou owner scanned the crowd:

“To be moved by beauty is human nature. To fail for that alone, no one would accept it—and spectators would understand. That’s not disgrace.”

“So the third trial is judged by deeds. The echoing drum is normal—but if anyone cannot resist and reaches beyond the drum to touch what they see, even to kiss, rub, or lick…”

“Hehe~ With thousands watching, this will be remembered for life!”

“Whoa…”

All onlookers nodded, agreeing this method was far more reasonable.

To be moved by beauty is natural.

But to act, to touch, to lick—that’s a lecher. No excuses needed!

Xie Jinhuan never denied he appreciated beauty—but even when Lin Da was bound to a tree, he resisted the urge to touch her—how could he lose control before a few common courtesans?

Thus, Xie Jinhuan abandoned the thought of withdrawing, sitting upright like a Buddha in a sacred hall.

The others, learning the trial tested only actions, not thoughts—even knowing defeat meant worse consequences—felt confident they wouldn’t lose, their spirits soaring!

Only the two female contestants felt bewildered, unsure how Jinlou would design the trial.

Ye Hongshang, ever at his side, had caught the gist and whispered to Xie Jinhuan:

“Something that stirs the heart must be a seduction illusion.”

“You’re used to illusions every day—this is unfair. Should I, sister, raise the difficulty? Afterwards, you can carry me while I dance?”

Carry me while I dance…

Xie Jinhuan found the condition tempting. As for the ghost bride increasing difficulty, he figured she’d just show up herself and perform some wild dance—big hammer swings, sun-shaking, that sort of thing…

But last night he lost control because they’d bathed together—no need to restrain then.

Now, in public, he refused to believe he couldn’t control his damn hands—no way he’d reach out to touch.

Thus, Xie Jinhuan calmed his breath and spirit, adopting a resolute “bring it on” posture!

Ye Hongshang, seeing this, said no more, readying herself…

…

(End of Chapter)