"Alright, you go wait upstairs, I'll go fetch Qiuyue now." Qingdai respectfully led her upstairs and into the VIP room.
"How is it? Have any young masters from prominent families been frequenting the place lately?" Ye Lanshan sat down in a chair, tapping the table rhythmically with her fingers.
"Most of those who come here aren't from major families—just ones like the Dou family," Qingdai reported honestly. "But recently, quite a few people from the Holy Land have been showing up, as if they're searching for someone."
Ye Lanshan pursed her lips slightly. "Ignore them. Just remember, your main priority now is gathering intel and keeping an eye on the movements of the various family disciples. Got it?"
"Yes. Oh, by the way, young master, someone from the Mu family came once, but he didn't call for any girls. He just sat downstairs for a while and left. It seemed like Dou Jingtong dragged him here."
"Who's Dou Jingtong?" Ye Lanshan had only vaguely heard from her grandfather that the Dou family was second only to the three major families; she hadn't looked into it further.
"He's the second son of the Dou family head. He doesn't have his elder brother's extraordinary talent or brilliance, nor his younger brother's cleverness and tact. In short, he's not well-regarded in the Dou family. But he has a good relationship with Sun Chenbo," Qingdai recited Dou Jingtong's background like a script.
"Oh? You say he's close with Sun Chenbo?" Ye Lanshan's tapping hand stopped.
Qingdai replied, "That's right. If it weren't for Sun Chenbo's protection, he wouldn't be able to swagger around brothels, surrounded by beauties, drowning in pleasure."
"What's their relationship?" Ye Lanshan didn't believe Sun Chenbo would protect Dou Jingtong for no reason.
"Sun Chenbo discusses many matters with Dou Jingtong and seems to hold him in high regard. You know about Sun Chenbo's pursuit of Ye Lanshan, right? It was Dou Jingtong who suggested taking her to the Camellia Gathering."
Ye Lanshan was analyzing Sun Chenbo's weaknesses when she suddenly heard her own name, and the doubts in her mind instantly cleared.
So that's why Sun Chenbo suddenly invited me to the Camellia Gathering, only to ambush and try to kill me afterward. With his nature, he wouldn't use such a underhanded scheme—it was Dou Jingtong's idea.
So the pursuit was fake, and the murder was real. Pretending to court me to kill me, so even if I died, suspicion wouldn't fall on him. It seems my return has been an eyesore to them.
"Who was the person from the Mu family who came here? What's his relationship with Dou Jingtong?" Ye Lanshan suddenly thought back to Qingdai's mention of the Mu family.
Qingdai answered, "I think his name is Mu Ziming. As for his relationship with Dou Jingtong, we haven't been able to find out."
"Mu Ziming? Things are getting more and more complicated." Ye Lanshan leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes as if utterly exhausted.
All cultivators in a world of survival of the fittest, yet they still play the same old mortal games of scheming and plotting. It's almost laughable.
"Shanluo, why are you so late? I've been waiting forever." A flash of red appeared, and the air filled with an alluring fragrance carried by her voice.
"Look at this red dress I'm wearing—doesn't it make me look seductive? Well? Are you captivated?" Taoyao spun around in front of Ye Lanshan, her eyes tilting upward as she gazed at her, exuding charm.
"Young master, I'll take my leave now." Qingdai, sensing the tension between them, tactfully withdrew.
"Is this act of yours really that amusing?" Ye Lanshan's voice suddenly turned cold.
"I don't know what you're talking about. What? Don't I look good like this?" Taoyao, seeing his sudden cold demeanor, found it dull but also felt a surge of challenge.
She thought to herself: Most men would swoon at my scent, and even if they resist the fragrance, they'd be utterly enchanted by my irresistible appearance. But he's not only unaffected—he's this cold.
I refuse to believe I can't conquer him. Her eyes darted, and she immediately smiled. "Don't be so harsh—you'll never get a girl to like you like that."
She inched closer to Ye Lanshan, her smile growing more seductive, her swaying waist more provocative.
Ye Lanshan watched calmly, unmoved. If she were an ordinary man, she'd probably be spellbound by Taoyao by now. But Ye Lanshan was a woman, and a cultivator at that—naturally, she wouldn't be swayed by another woman.
"Shanluo, I'm starting to wonder if something's wrong with you down there. How else could you be so indifferent to a beauty like me?" Taoyao breathed near her ear.
"Sweetheart, never tell a man he's lacking in that department—it makes them furious, and you'll end up in a bad spot." Ye Lanshan grabbed her wrist, her eyes narrowing dangerously.
That squinting motion was as captivating as a fox's, and Taoyao found herself momentarily stunned.
How could someone in this world be so beautiful? From afar, she seemed like an ethereal being untouched by worldly affairs, as if she might drift away with the wind at any moment.
But up close, she was like a warm, refined young master from a wealthy family, heartwarming. Yet, if you looked deeper, you'd find a coldness that could freeze you solid.
Now, Taoyao realized someone like her could also be as alluring as a fox.
When Ye Lanshan started to pull at her clothes, she even felt a hint of anticipation.
Seeing Taoyao staring blankly at him, Ye Lanshan frowned. What kind of look is that? Shouldn't she be screaming or playing along? Why is she acting so passive?
Taoyao snapped out of it when she saw his frown. Though a bit flustered, she thought giving him her first time wouldn't be so bad.
"This is just a small brothel—there's nothing here you'd want." Just as Taoyao was ready to enjoy the moment, a light, dismissive voice reached her ears.
Taoyao was startled. How does he know what I want? But even if he does, so what? I'm staying put.
"Who says there's nothing here I want? The decor is elegant, the rooms are comfortable, and so many men linger here. Where else would I find such a great place?"
"Besides, you've offended the Holy Land—aren't you afraid of their retaliation? Even if you're not, your nature will likely make you more enemies. You might dodge their revenge, but the people in your brothel can't."
"I can help you train a batch of assassins to protect you and the brothel's safety."
"How about it? This deal is quite a bargain."
Ye Lanshan stood up, pressing her against the table's edge, and asked, "What's your real goal here? I've got nothing worth taking."