Chapter 0590 : Spicy Facing-Heaven Pepper

If direct conquest was impossible, then subterfuge would suffice.

Though covert tactics might not bring about the complete downfall of Xuanhuang City, they could easily stir up unrest among the populace. And once that happened, development would become nothing but an empty promise. Stirring public unrest was easy; restoring order, however, required tenfold or even a hundredfold effort—if it could be salvaged at all.

When the people are in turmoil, production halts. The consequences of that are self-evident.

"Relax. As long as the price is right, nothing is out of reach. It's just a mere human city. To sow chaos there is but child's play for us Shadow Demons. We can make Xuanhuang City fall into whatever disarray we please. Kill whoever we wish, however we wish. Poison is far too crude. Manipulating the human heart, controlling everything from behind the scenes—that's the true art, and the most exhilarating experience."

The Shadow Demon expert, shrouded entirely in a black cloak, let out a chilling, sinister laugh.

For them, killing was trivial. What they truly enjoyed was the process of playing with people's minds. That process—seductive, intricate, and maddening—was their greatest pleasure. Within the Shadow Demon race, such techniques and experiences were regularly shared. Whoever could manipulate hearts with the most finesse earned fame and reverence.

They were assassins. The hidden hands in the darkness.

"Excellent. With the aid of our Shadow Demon brethren, our plan is one step closer to success," said Mo Scorpion, his lips curling into a cold smile.

"Using poison may be dishonorable, but in this world, achieving one's goal is what truly matters. The humans of Xuanhuang City have become a growing threat to us—a mortal enemy. And against our enemies, we must use every possible means."

The ratfolk warrior showed no qualms about using deadly poisons. To him, all tools were fair game in achieving victory.

As the conspirators looked toward the brightly lit Xuanhuang City, their gazes turned icy cold, as if staring at prey already trapped.

Xuanhuang City buzzed with life at night.

Here, the people typically worked during the day and rested at night. But most citizens were cultivators, and cultivation only required a few hours a day. The rest of their time was theirs to spend. Since the implementation of private ownership, many now worked tirelessly for their futures, striving to improve their quality of life through trade and purchase.

Bounty hunters by day, they became the city's most lavish spenders by night.

Some even established brothels, led by experienced madams.

Yi Tianxing hadn't banned them. Nor had Huang Chengyan.

Brothels had long been part of human history. In every era, demand ensured their persistence. Attraction between the sexes was human nature. In ancient times, brothels weren't strictly forbidden. Authorities only outlawed forced prostitution—not the industry itself.

In fact, visiting brothels used to be a social norm among scholars and officials. It was where relationships were built, deals struck. Far from taboo, it was often a point of pride.

As men settled into secure lives, natural desires followed. But among the city's men and women, truly deep bonds leading to marriage remained rare. Most were still in the phase of emotional exploration. So, forming families was still a ways off for many.

This situation wasn't uncommon.

Moreover, bounty hunters constantly faced danger. Their minds remained taut with tension. At night, they needed release—relief from the relentless stress.

Brothels, then, became the natural outlet.

A woman's body often became the best form of therapy.

Naturally, the appearance of brothels couldn't be stopped. But Yi Tianxing had established clear rules from the outset:No coercion. No forced prostitution. No selling of bodies.All female cultivators working in brothels would do so without binding contracts.They came and went freely. No one could force or detain them.

Think of the brothel as a location—its women not property, but partners. With no binding contracts, they retained their freedom. This ensured their safety and human dignity. Anyone unwilling to continue could simply walk away, unharassed.

Of course, living a "normal" life afterward was difficult. Society still carried a subtle bias, a stain of judgment.

But the choice was theirs. No one forced them. The consequences were theirs to bear.

Even knowing all this, many still chose to enter the profession—some not for the first time. In their original worlds, they had already been courtesans. Now, without binding contracts, their circumstances were far better. They could leave at any time.

Their return was simple: they had no psychological burden. What's more, they were cultivators now. Strength meant everything. A strong woman—even one from a brothel—could live well. Some even found dual cultivation techniques in the Scripture Pavilion. For them, brothel work became a means of cultivation.

These weren't Yin-draining arts. They were genuine dual cultivation techniques that benefited both partners.

Such female cultivators became the ultimate fantasy for many men.

It was mutual benefit.

Xuanhuang City's nightlife was rich and colorful.

It never slept.

Taverns and restaurants remained open all night.

Under the guidance of luminous spirit lamps, new refugees continued arriving, merging into the city.

As dawn's golden rays broke the darkness, a new day began.

After breakfast, the citizens resumed their work.

Bounty hunters geared up for the wilds. Others headed to the mines. Some remained in the city, making a living through their crafts and trades.

"Old Song, heading out again? How's that new rice crop coming along? If it succeeds, save some for me—I'll pay, of course!"

"Yeah! Everyone's waiting on your new rice. If it grows well, they'll want seeds. Your Spicy Facing-Heaven Pepper was all the rage in the city. People go to restaurants now asking for it by name."

City constable Zhang Yue was patrolling when he spotted a middle-aged man with a hoe heading out. Recognizing him, he smiled and called out.

He knew this man—well known in Xuanhuang City.

Though he appeared scholarly, he was most content with farming.

Unlike ordinary farmers who toiled blindly, he used his mind. He focused on innovation, experimentation—growing new and rare crops.

He had previously bred a new type of pepper: the Spicy Facing-Heaven Pepper, a fusion of Sichuan peppercorns and chili peppers. It combined the searing heat of chili with the numbing spice of Sichuan pepper. The result? A miraculous new taste that took the city by storm.

It made him famous. And rich.

People loved that flavor.

And Old Song wasn't selfish. He didn't hoard the seeds. He shared them—for a modest fee. Not free, but fair. And once others grew it, the seeds lost value. Anyone could plant them.

It was an act of generosity.

Had he hoarded the seeds, the value would have skyrocketed. But he didn't.

As a result, his reputation soared. People admired and respected him greatly.

Now, word had it Old Song was developing a new strain of rice. If successful, it would surely cause another sensation.

"Almost there. Almost," Old Song replied with a gentle smile. His face radiated a quiet, honest calm that invited warmth.

"Then by all means, Master Song, go on. If you succeed, the whole human race will benefit. If you need anything, just ask. If I can't help, I'll bring it to the City Lord himself," Zhang Yue said warmly.

He always respected those with real skills.

Old Song chuckled and carried his hoe out of the city, heading toward the allocated farming zones.

Under the new privatization system, anyone willing to farm received a plot. These plots weren't owned—they belonged to the city—but people had full rights to use them, just not to sell.

Old Song had received a plot of his own.

Now, he was making his way there, silently contemplating.