Volume 1, Chapter 16: Qingyue

The intoxicating fragrance and the touch of soft skin were overwhelming. Countless hands, bosoms, hips, and thighs rubbed and writhed against Xiahou, making his mouth twitch in agony as he tried to maintain his composure. Circulating his earth energy within, he locked away any stray thoughts, keeping his true essence still and undisturbed by the temptations around him.

Hei Ming Sen lounged lazily on a cushion, a trickle of blood-red wine escaping the corner of his mouth. Suddenly, he pointed at Xiahou and shouted angrily, "You useless wenches! Is Brother Chihu dissatisfied with you? Someone, drag them out and execute them, then bring in a new batch of obedient beauties."

Xiahou was taken aback. How could they treat human lives so lightly here? As he saw dozens of burly men rushing in, feeling the desperate tremors of the women, Xiahou suddenly shouted, "Brother Hei Ming, it's not the women's fault. My sword technique forbids close contact with women until I master it. I appreciate the gesture, but please, spare these girls." With that, he lifted a small jar of wine, gestured, and drank it all in one go.

Hei Ming Sen's sinister face relaxed into a smile, nodding slightly. "I see, I was wondering why the girls of Pink Sound Swamp, among the best in Anyi, couldn't move Brother Chihu's heart. So that's the reason! All of you, withdraw!" He raised a white jade cup, smiling at Xiahou, and drained it.

Li Tianhou clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention. He closed his folding fan, looking at Xiahou with a smile. "Brother Chihu, may I ask what sword technique you are practicing that even forbids you from being near women? I'm quite curious." He smiled subtly.

Xing Tian Dafeng chuckled and spoke loudly, "Lord Li, that's a bit much. Brother Chihu's sword technique is not something to be revealed casually. It's like a golden beast showing its belly or a green serpent exposing its vital points. Let's drink instead! Brother Chihu can't touch women, so, Hei Ming!"

Hei Ming Sen laughed, turning to the displeased Li Tianhou with a smile. "Thirteenth Prince, you've been away in Anyi for so long, you wouldn't know these taboos. Someone, bring Miss Qingyue here." With a few words, he dispelled Li Tianhou's displeasure, gesturing for the women surrounding Xiahou to leave. Hei Ming Sen's cunning methods and deep scheming were evident.

Li Tianhou glared at Xing Tian Dafeng but then smiled and clapped. "Hei Ming, you're finally willing to bring out Qingyue."

Hei Ming Sen cast a resentful glance at Li Tianhou and the four Xing Tian brothers, weakly resting his head on his right hand. "Sigh, what can I do when such esteemed guests arrive? I, Hei Ming Sen, can hardly afford to offend anyone."

Li Tianhou was about to retort when Xing Tian Xuanzhi coldly interjected, "It's said that Qingyue's flute skills are unparalleled in Daxia. I wonder if that's true."

Hei Ming Sen perked up immediately. "True? It's truer than pure gold. If her flute skills don't impress you, you're welcome to smash my Pink Sound Swamp."

Footsteps echoed as a young woman in a flowing green dress entered, flanked by eight beautiful maidens.

Her long robe fluttered like smoke, her figure ethereal and alluring. Her long, enchanting eyes were filled with a mesmerizing charm. Her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, exuding an infinite allure. Her skin was as smooth as jade, her lips like green waves. Her voice was sweet and clear, like a spring warbler's song. Her shy face blushed like ripe cherries. This woman stood taller than the maids around her, her slender and graceful figure accentuated by the thin, flowing dress. Her full chest, slim waist, and stunningly long legs were all outlined tantalizingly by the night breeze.

Xiahou's throat made a clicking sound, and he almost choked on his wine. He had seen more beautiful women in his short time at Pink Sound Swamp than in his entire previous life combined, but Qingyue outshone them all. He felt a pang of guilt, thinking that even his former wife, Xiaohua, paled in comparison.

Xing Tian Xuanzhi remained still, his eyes slightly reddened, and a fierce chill caused all the wine cups, jars, and bottles around him to frost over. Xing Tian Dafeng, Xing Tian Pan, and Xing Tian Aolong simultaneously swallowed hard, unable to hide their desire for the woman. They straightened their backs, their faces showing a fervent lust.

The usually refined Li Tianhou trembled, his hair standing on end like a malevolent spirit shedding its human disguise. His face contorted grotesquely, lips parting to reveal pale teeth that glinted under the lights. His eyes narrowed to slits, a ferocious and greedy fire burning within them, as if he wanted to pin Qingyue down and ravage her in front of everyone.

Among all the men present, only Bai seemed oblivious to Qingyue. Drunk to the point that his scales were lifting, with wisps of alcohol vapor escaping from between them, his eyes seemed ready to bleed. He clutched a roast pig's leg, drooling as he gazed at it, his befuddled mind still pondering the best spot to take a bite.

Qingyue's face showed a mix of fear, a bit of shyness, and a hint of helplessness and resentment. The strange blend of emotions on her beautiful face made her even more intoxicating, like honey with a touch of strong liquor. Li Tianhou's heavy breathing could already be heard.

"Young Master Hei Ming, esteemed gentlemen, Qingyue greets you," Qingyue said, bowing slightly while holding a four-foot purple jade flute.

Hei Ming Sen let out a few cackling laughs, took a swig of wine, and bluntly pointed at Qingyue, saying, "Qingyue, the daughter of former Music Commissioner Qing Fu. Heh, heh. Qing Fu was executed for offending the king, and his family was ordered to be eradicated. All the women were sent to the music houses, but I managed to save Qingyue's life, keeping her pure and untouched."

With a sly grin, Hei Ming Sen glanced at Li Tianhou and the Xing Tian brothers before saying leisurely, "I can personally guarantee that Miss Qingyue is still pure and untouched. Ten superior-grade jade pieces, and you can take her. I'll even throw in her forty-year-old nanny, who still has her charms."

Xiahou noticed Qingyue's body tremble slightly before she lowered her head deeply.

Li Tianhou sneered, "Ten superior-grade jade pieces? Hei Ming Sen, isn't that price a bit too steep?"

Hei Ming Sen shrugged, looking unbothered. "Under the rule of the twenty-one orders, overseeing military, political, cultural, and various affairs, all of Daxia's power is concentrated in these hands. Even for you, Li Tianhou, getting your hands on a daughter of one of the orders for any form of debasement is a rare fortune."

He casually pointed at Qingyue, "Even if she were a pig, as long as she's a daughter of an order, many would desire her. And here we have such a beauty! Ten superior-grade jade pieces is a very fair price." He loudly declared, "It's not just about her looks or skills, it's about her father's status. A daughter of an order, a noble lady—such a plaything offers unparalleled pleasure."

Looking meaningfully at Li Tianhou, Hei Ming Sen added, "When you're slowly torturing her, hearing her gasps and screams, isn't that even more exhilarating? You might even find yourself going for multiple rounds. Ten pieces of jade, well worth it! You're buying her status. If it were just about beauty, I have thousands of beauties here at Pink Sound Swamp. You could take one for a single piece of jade."

Qingyue remained still, head bowed, but a single tear dropped to the ground.

For some reason, Xiahou felt a vision of blooming jasmine flowers, his eyes flaring with yellow light as he roared, "Shut up, you shameless scoundrel!"

The thunderous shout startled everyone in the hall, even the usually unflappable Hei Ming Sen, who jerked upright in surprise, staring at Xiahou. Qingyue, too, lifted her head in shock, her tear-streaked face showing a mix of hope and despair.

With a faint, eerie smile, Hei Ming Sen coldly eyed Xiahou and then suddenly laughed, "Xing Tian brothers, is your friend calling me a shameless scoundrel?"

Xing Tian Xuanzhi glanced at Hei Ming Sen, closed his eyes, and leaned back against the cushion, too lazy to respond. Xing Tian Dafeng coughed awkwardly, chuckling, "Hei Ming, well..."

Li Tianhou, with a benevolent smile, glanced at Xiahou, waving his folding fan and laughing, "Brother Chihu, you still retain that raw, wild nature of the southern barbarians." His tone was polite, but the underlying meaning was clear disdain and disregard for Xiahou. Li Tianhou thought to himself, "I had considered pulling him to my side, but he's nothing more than a brute. Of what use is he?"

Xiahou glared at Li Tianhou, coldly replying, "And what if I am a wild barbarian?"

Hei Ming Sen resumed his soft, slimy demeanor, lounging in the arms of a beautiful woman and squeezing her chest as he chuckled, "Alright, alright, my Pink Sound Swamp is a place of elegance and charm. You've already killed an East Yi man; that's fine, but the Golden Leopard's death truly pains me. What more do you want?"

He somehow produced a pink handkerchief, waving it lightly as he laughed, "Alright, let's not have any more unpleasantness tonight. Qingyue, play 'Autumn by the Tranquil Lake.' Let everyone see if you're worth ten pieces of superior jade."

Qingyue leaned against the stone railing of the terrace, her nearly transparent purple jade flute close to her pale blue lips. A melodious tune flowed as if from the heavens. The scene depicted an autumn day by a tranquil lake, the air crisp and clear, yellow leaves swirling. A figure in red moved slowly across the water. Golden wind, yellow leaves, blue water, red clothes. The gentle flute melody painted a vivid picture.

Li Tianhou was the first to applaud, "Wonderful! As expected of the daughter of Music Commissioner Qing Fu, the Flute God."

Xing Tian Xuanzhi lifted his gaze, a faint white light in his eyes, a look of pity on his face. The three Xing Tian brothers glanced at each other, simultaneously feeling their pockets and shaking their heads silently.

Qingyue lowered her flute, her voice soft as she replied, "Li Tianhou, your praise is too generous. At this moment, I am nothing but a lamb awaiting slaughter."

Li Tianhou chuckled, his greedy gaze unabashedly sweeping over Qingyue's graceful body. He raised his cup and drank deeply, "A lamb awaiting slaughter? I like that metaphor. It just depends on who holds the knife." He let out a sinister laugh, casting a glance at Hei Ming Sen, "Hei Ming, ten superior-grade jade pieces, that price is quite outrageous. Can't you lower it a bit?"

Hei Ming Sen raised his head proudly and said, "Ten superior-grade jade pieces for the daughter of the Flute God, with her mother included. It's quite a bargain. Such a beauty with such talent, unless Li Tianhou accidentally kills her after a few times, it's a deal that's always worth it."

Li Tianhou's face darkened, and he snorted coldly. Xiahou, suddenly realizing the gravity of the situation, slammed the table and shouted, "Hei Ming, what exactly is the value of ten superior-grade jade pieces?"

Li Tianhou's expression turned icy as he looked at Xiahou. The Xing Tian brothers all let out a snort, their faces showing amusement. Hei Ming Sen laughed and raised his cup towards Xiahou, "Brother Chihu, you certainly have guts. In Anyi City, there are few as straightforward as you. Ten superior-grade jade pieces, it's not much, just the value of a small city spanning one square mile."

Xing Tian Xuanzhi spoke coldly, "According to Daxia laws, a city spanning one mile includes three towns, nine pavilions, and twenty-seven villages, with a population of twenty thousand civilians, three thousand slaves, and a thousand soldiers. It covers fifty miles and annually pays two hundred jade coins in taxes."

Xiahou froze. He had acquired many valuables from the raided tribe's settlement on the grasslands, but he knew even a hundred times those treasures wouldn't be enough for a city of that size. Hei Ming Sen's price for Qingyue was indeed exorbitant. Even Li Tianhou, as the thirteenth prince, hesitated at the cost.

Xiahou could only look at Qingyue with regret and sit down, gulping down the last bit of wine. Qingyue looked up at him, her eyes showing a mix of gratitude and resignation.

Li Tianhou, surrounded by beautiful women, noticed Qingyue's slight smile and felt a pang of emotion. After pondering for a moment, he slowly lifted his head and said with a smile, "Then, I will offer ten superior-grade jade pieces. Miss Qingyue, I have long admired your flute skills."

Xiahou's eyes flashed with yellow flames, while Li Tianhou laughed triumphantly, his face covered in an eerie black mist that slowly rotated, turning his handsome face into a ghastly vortex.

Qingyue's face turned pale, a deathly aura seeping out.

Li Tianhou turned to Qingyue, growing more pleased as he observed her, and couldn't help but laugh.

Xiahou's muscles bulged with anger. He slammed the table, shattering it into pieces, and roared, "Brother Dafeng, how long would it take for me to earn ten superior-grade jade pieces?"

Xing Tian Dafeng remained silent, taking a sip of his drink.

Xing Tian Xuanzhi straightened up and said, "Brother Chihu, earning ten superior-grade jade pieces can be either difficult or easy."

Xing Tian Yan casually swirled his drink and said, "In our dynasty, for killing ten thousand enemies, you are rewarded with one superior-grade jade piece. If you can lead an army to kill a hundred thousand, well..."

Li Tianhou laughed, "Xing Tian Xuanzhi, you make it sound too easy. Kill a hundred thousand? Whether it's the East Yi or the Hai people, Chihu needs to lead an army of at least two hundred thousand to achieve that."

Xiahou was stunned. An army of two hundred thousand? If he could command such a force, he wouldn't be worried about ten superior-grade jade pieces. The Xing Tian brothers, despite their high status, were remarkably impoverished.

Seeing Xiahou's bewilderment, Li Tianhou laughed heartily, "Forget it, forget it. Why should I argue with a barbarian? Miss Qingyue, come with me! This barbarian is amusing, Xing Tian Dafeng, you should educate him. Even if he had the money, could he compete with me?"

Li Tianhou looked at the Xing Tian brothers warmly, "In all of Anyi, how many have the right to challenge me?"

A thunderous voice responded, "Old Thirteen, do I have that right?"

Li Tianhou's face twisted in annoyance, "Ninth Brother, why must you spoil my fun?"

Huntianhou strode in, laughing, "How interesting. I arrived late and missed some great fun. Brother Chihu won three matches in a row. I regret being held up by trivial matters."

Dressed like a phantom in a black, luxurious gown, Xing Tian Huaying walked in softly and said, "Did you think sparring with me was a trivial matter?" She glanced at the Xing Tian brothers with a faint smile, "Big Brother, how come you injured someone the one time I wasn't with you?"

Xing Tian Dafeng laughed awkwardly, taking a sip of his drink.

Huntianhou looked at Li Tianhou with a mischievous grin, "Old Thirteen, give Ninth Brother some face. Let Brother Chihu take Miss Qingyue. You wouldn't fight me over her, would you?" As he spoke, sparks of white lightning flickered in his eyes, accompanied by faint crackling sounds.

The black mist around Li Tianhou intensified but quickly dissipated as he resumed his calm demeanor, bowing slightly, "Since Ninth Brother insists, what else can I say? But Ninth Brother, you've always stayed away from women. Why the interest this time?"

Huntianhou laughed, pointing at Xiahou, "Hei Ming, I'll make it simple. Miss Qingyue goes with Brother Chihu. Name your price, and I'll pay it tomorrow. Don't overcharge. It seems your welcoming girls are wearing genuine palace gowns."

Hei Ming Sen stiffened, then laughed, "What could I possibly charge? Ten jade coins, and Brother Chihu can take Miss Qingyue." He laughed sycophantically at Huntianhou but remained sprawled on the cushion, refusing to stand.

Xiahou was dumbfounded, exchanging glances with Qingyue, unable to speak. Huntianhou, the ninth son of the Daxia King, what did he intend by offering such a favor?

Xing Tian Dafeng, Xing Tian Pan, and Xing Tian AoLong kept drinking. Xing Tian Xuanzhi smiled faintly, raising his jade cup towards Huntianhou. Li Tianhou stood aside, gazing at the stars, unable to speak.