Then another voice chimed in conspiratorially, “Has anyone heard of Zong Yuan? Hailed as the Purple Lightning Spear, sweeping through the strait like cavalry conquering a thousand armies—the new peerless general of the Qiantian Mountain. He used to follow Zong Hao, but for some baffling reason, he ended up aligning with the Lord. People are all puzzled, but I heard that when the Lord was at the Linhai Academy, he had a taste for exactly that sort of thing, having ruined countless handsome young men. It was precisely because the Lord was too dissolute in his ways that he was expelled from the Linhai Academy.” “Oh, oh, I’ve heard about that!”

Across from that speaker, another man gave a distinctly wicked smile, “They say there’s also that Li Xieling of the Hundred Thousand Blood Kills. The Lord defeated him with a single sword strike a few months ago. Afterwards, seeing how handsome Li Xieling was, the Lord intended to take him as a male consort. But since Li Xieling was too spirited and refused, the Lord just killed him.”

“There was such a thing? I never would have guessed! The Lord really has that kind of preference.”

The people beside them all expressed sudden realization. One elder even lamented sorrowfully, “The world is truly declining, morality is ruined... It’s all because the former Lord spent so many years fighting wars and failed to raise his son properly, sending the Lord down the wrong path. I knew it! When he was little and running wild through Qiantian Mountain City, he always stared at handsome boys!”

Veins were now popping on Zong Shou’s forehead. What in the world was this nonsense? Beside him, Chu Xue was internally convulsing with suppressed laughter, yet dared not actually laugh, only stamping her feet and beating her chest in frustration.

Ruo Shui’s eyes curved into crescents. She covered her lips with her hand, turning her delicate head aside, her body trembling slightly, like a willow branch swaying in the wind.

The subsequent conversation grew increasingly offensive. Zong Shou was too lazy to soil his ears and simply cut off his sense of hearing.

He originally only intended to visit that so-called Ten Mile Fragrant Town, but now he absolutely must go. If he doesn't prove his own virility, how can he quell these rumors?

With another cold snort, he asked Ruo Shui, “Is there any further news to report?”

Ruo Shui first shook her head, then nodded slightly, “There is some news! Ruo Shui had selected them, but the Lord kicked the entire batch over.”

As she spoke, she pulled several pieces of written animal hide from her sleeve, “Starting from dawn yesterday, people in Qiantian Mountain City began spreading rumors. Ruo Shui investigated for a long time but couldn’t track them down. I only know that celestial-rank Martial Grandmasters, or perhaps Spirit Masters of the Day Roaming Realm, must have been involved.”

Zong Shou took the hides, which still contained news about Yunxia Mountain and Blazing Flame Mountain, the two great demon cities.

“Yesterday, Feng Nu, the City Lord of Yunxia Mountain, suddenly laughed several times in his study late last night. He said it was all just talk, nothing to be believed entirely. That brat from Qiantian thinks by spreading these rumors he can truly become an unparalleled master? The truly capable people in Qiantian Mountain City are merely a few individuals: Hu Qianqiu, Zong Lan, Qiu Wei, Zong Yuan, and a handful of others. With their help, even an idiot could become the Lord of Qiantian.”

“Xiong Ba, the City Lord of Blazing Flame Mountain, debated with many elders of his clan after rising this morning. During the discussion, he mentioned that the rumors about the young Zong Shou of Qiantian Mountain should not be taken seriously; they are too exaggerated. It seems his attitude has softened, and he is considering abandoning Princess Xuan Yu and establishing a different Lord instead.”

Zong Shou grinned, then unhesitatingly tore the memorial animal hides in his hand into shreds.

A Celestial-rank Martial Grandmaster is involved, so this is most likely the handiwork of Lei Dong and Zhao Yanran.

What a brilliant tactic of confusing the public and substituting dross for gold! Mixing the true with the false, and adding exaggerated rhetoric, they can temporarily quell this uproar. I truly underestimated them.

However, the previous rumors were tolerable; they wouldn’t cost me flesh. But these two dared to suggest that I, Zong Shou, had a penchant for men. That is utterly intolerable! If I don’t make them pay dearly when I get the chance later, I’ll be damned!

Without further hesitation, Zong Shou strode directly toward the Ten Mile Fragrant Town.

Before descending the mountain, he had asked a guard for directions. In truth, one could see it from the peak of Qiantian Mountain: the place was not far below the foothills, draped in red lanterns, already unusually bustling in the twilight.

Though called Ten Miles, the area was far larger than that, and there were certainly more than the three hundred establishments mentioned in the memorials. Those three hundred courtesan houses probably only referred to the larger-scale pleasure venues.

He had already inquired thoroughly; among those three hundred, only three stood out as the most exceptional. One of them was the Quiet Cloud Elegant Tower. Not only were the women the most beautiful, but it was said there were several dozen women from the Central Cloud Continent, all versed in the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, who were gentle, considerate, and highly sought after. There was even a female zither master renowned across the Central Dynasty for her skill, currently presiding there.

As he walked, Zong Shou saw the street lined with heavily made-up women. From the balconies on both sides, sleeves beckoned invitingly. With his innate-realm hearing, all he perceived was a cacophony of vulgar words, laughter, and the occasional public embrace and flirtation—a truly eye-opening sight.

Chu Xue’s pretty face was flushed crimson; she didn't know where to direct her gaze. Ruo Shui, however, was unbothered, instead observing with considerable interest. Especially the sight of men and women kissing—she seemed to be studying the differences compared to when Zong Shou had treated her wounds.

Coming from a later era, Zong Shou paid these scenes no mind, feeling only disappointment. They were all common courtesans, not comparing to a single finger of Xuan Yuan Yiren or Chu Xue. If the so-called Quiet Cloud Elegant Tower was of the same caliber, then he wouldn't need to return to the Ten Mile Fragrant Town in the future.

Qiantian Mountain City was crisscrossed with waterways. As Zong Shou followed the path tearfully indicated by the unfortunate guard whom Chu Xue had already dealt with, crossing a small bridge, the environment abruptly shifted. This area, though central to the Ten Mile Fragrant Town, was strikingly quiet and elegant, as if detached from the mundane world. Fine willows lined the banks, and clusters of green bamboo swayed in the breeze. A few scattered pavilions gave the scenery a unique, transcendent charm.

Zong Shou’s eyes immediately lit up. The person who arranged this place must be exceptional. Elegant taste means the women in the Quiet Cloud Elegant Tower must also be excellent.

Quickening his pace, after only a few steps, he heard a string of melodious plucking notes. Zong Shou paused, listening intently. It was exquisitely melodious and clear, as if a woman were whispering intimately beside his ear. In the bright, tranquil moonlight, the sound was even more heart-refreshing. Even Chu Xue fell silent, listening carefully.

Regrettably, the music reached its final note and stopped within moments. Zong Shou frowned, feeling a slight regret, but quickened his steps toward the source of the music. Not far away, a five-story tower came into view.

However, just as he approached, several boisterous laughs suddenly rang out. “Excellent playing! Miss Yunlan, your music is superb; even a coarse fellow like me is completely captivated. Miss, please take this cup of wine as a tribute to my respect.”

The voice was rough and imposing. At this moment, however, it was somewhat jarring. Zong Shou surmised that Miss Yunlan must be the great zither master renowned throughout the Central Cloud Continent. Indeed, worthy of the title ‘Grand Master’; the music possessed the power to soothe the spirit. A Spirit Master suffering from soul damage would surely benefit from hearing it, receiving a soul-healing effect. This woman’s spirit techniques must also be extraordinary. But why would someone of such stature come to this uncivilized place in the Eastern Cloud Continent?

Wait, that voice sounds strangely familiar? Is that bastard Hu Zhongyuan?

Indeed, he soon heard another person scoff dismissively, “Hu Zhongyuan, stop pretending to be refined. With your nature, how could you possibly discern the quality of music?”

Hu Zhongyuan didn't get angry upon hearing this; he chuckled, “Nonsense. Though I, Hu Zhongyuan, am a crude person and don't understand these things, I can certainly tell good music from bad. Miss Yunlan’s artistry is simply better than other musicians. It makes me lose myself completely, that feeling of... 'not tasting meat for three months,' you know.”

Inside the distant pavilion, there was a burst of hearty laughter. Someone else asked laughingly, “Zhongyuan, you’ve been following the Lord day and night for months; you are now the Lord’s trusted confidant. The Lord has only just ascended the throne, and they say he’s been busy in the Hanyan Palace for two days without a break. You lazy dog, fooling around here, isn’t that a bit inappropriate?”

“Tch, what am I afraid of! I, Hu Zhongyuan, am slow-witted; what help could I offer.” Hu Zhongyuan laughed three unrestrained times, replying completely unconcerned, “The Lord doesn’t know anyway. He probably doesn’t have time to manage me right now. I’ll just act obediently in front of him tomorrow.”

Zong Shou listened and let out a cold sneer. If these people hadn't mentioned it, he hadn't even remembered. For the past two days, he had been working himself ragged in the study, never stopping for a moment. And Hu Zhongyuan, meanwhile, was indulging in wine and courtesans here daily—that life was far too comfortable.

While pondering how he ought to deal with that fellow later, a mysterious chuckle suddenly emanated from within the pavilion.

“Right! There’s one thing others don't know, but you, Hu Zhongyuan, must. Rumor has it that Zong Yuan has a very close relationship with the Lord. Following the Young Master, have you witnessed the truth of the matter? Does the Lord truly have a preference for that kind of thing?”

“That matter? Why are so many people asking about it these days? I, Hu Zhongyuan, have certainly never seen it firsthand.”

Just as everyone inside the pavilion sighed in disappointment, Hu Zhongyuan’s tone suddenly changed, carrying a hint of seriousness: “But I’ll tell you this, the Lord is indeed somewhat ambiguous toward Zong Yuan. Do you know that the first time the Lord saw Zong Yuan, he felt him all over? And he even ordered me to tie him up and hang him from a tree. Back then, I was thankful that I had a rugged, handsome appearance—peerless in Qiantian City—but I probably wasn't to the Lord’s taste.” (To be continued)