Content Warning: depiction of sexual harrassnt aftereffects, played as a joke. If you would like to skip it, stop reading at “disappearing into the buildings on either side of the road.” Summary at end of chapter.
After arriving at the Zhonghu Road, they finally began to see more people and signs of human habitation. Most importantly, Ji Yuan could at last see several villages.
The three Ke siblings and Zhou Xing visibly relaxed after confirming that there were no ghosts or demons following them. Furthermore, because they had unknowingly absorbed a bit of spiritual energy, the four of them recovered their high spirits, and there was constant laughter and chatter along their journey. The Old Bull in particular loved to chat with the two sisters of the Ke family, and was himself quite humorous and witty.
Unfortunately, although Niu Batian was able to make the two sisters of the Ke family laugh from ti to ti, his honest, simple-minded appearance held him back. In contrast, Yan Fei, who always appeared cold, detached, or burdened by heavy thoughts, drew more of the sisters’ attention.1
After the Old Bull’s eighth failed attempt to curry favor failed, he couldn’t help but lant alone in a corner about unrequited love, leaving Ji Yuan utterly flabbergasted.
Though the Old Bull had a simple and honest face, his eyes were constantly darting about. Moreover, he had already asked Zhou Xing and Ke Yundong where to find brothels a while ago, so the brother and his friend had long since warned the two sisters to be on guard.
Approximately twelve days after departing the Endless Ghost City, the outline of Luoping City ca into view.
Ever since he had left the border of Dazhen, Ji Yuan had barely glimpsed any truly prosperous city, but Luoping City certainly qualified, regardless of whether he was comparing against cities in Dazhen or Zuyue.
Perhaps due to the better public security here, there was a steady stream of people coming and going from the city. By the ti they entered the city, the sky was already turning dark.
The Ke siblings and Zhou Xing naturally invited Ji Yuan, Yan Fei, and the others to stay in their hos as guests for the night. However, Ji Yuan declined, citing a need for peace and quiet. Upon entering the city, he directly parted ways with the group of four and chose to find a suitable inn for himself.
Tianlang2 Inn was located in the western part of the city. It could be considered a fairly decent inn in Luoping City. After bidding Zhou Xing and the three Ke siblings farewell, Ji Yuan and his companions went there to find a place to stay.
Just as Ji Yuan finished tidying his room, he heard a knock on the door. He opened it and saw Yan Fei standing outside.
“Mr. Ji, it’s getting late. Why don’t we go visit the Wei Family tomorrow? I will go to the Wei family’s shop in the city soon to let them know that we will be visiting tomorrow. This also seems like the most polite option.”
Ji Yuan, of course, had no objections.
“Very well, go ahead. If anything cos up, just let know.”
They had already eaten dinner earlier, so Ji Yuan was prepared to rest in his room for a while. Yan Fei nodded, and left with his sword at his side.
The Wei Family’s General Store in the city was run by the Wei family and sold miscellaneous goods. This information was readily available to any martial artist with even a slight understanding of the affairs of the martial arts world, so Yan Fei, naturally, was well aware.
The General Store’s closing ti was considerably later than other shops. Even now, at dusk, its doors remained open, and a large lantern, emblazoned with the character “Wei,” hung brightly lit at the entrance.
The streets were much quieter at this hour. As Yan Fei approached the shop’s entrance, he saw a middle-aged man sitting behind the counter, hunched against the wall, either asleep or simply listless.
However, as Yan Fei approached and entered, the man imdiately perked up. Seeing that the newcor carried a sword and walked with a steady gait, he didn’t address him like he would have any common custor.
“Sir Warrior, are you here to purchase goods, or do you have business with my Wei Family? ”
Yan Fei clasped his sword and bowed in greeting.
“My na is Yan Fei. Tomorrow, I will bring my elder to visit the Wei Family of Luoping City, seeking to borrow the ‘Wordless Heavenly Book’ to view it.”
“Yan Fei? ”
The middle-aged man frowned in thought for a mont, looking over at Yan Fei’s attire and then at his sword. Suddenly, a thought struck him, and he rose from his seat.
“Could you be the Flying Swordsman, the Great Hero Yan Fei? ”
“Yes, I am he, but I am unworthy of the title of Great Hero. Please, shopkeeper, refrain from ntioning it. ”
Yan Fei’s humble words that he was “unworthy” were spoken genuinely from his heart.
Regardless of whether or not he spoke the truth, the shopkeeper did not dare neglect this custor, and hastily bowed in return.
“This humble one understands. I will definitely inform the Wei family of this news. If the Great Hero Yan has nowhere to stay, I can personally escort you to the manor outside the city to rest! ”
“No need, my elder and I already have a place to stay. ”
The shopkeeper walked around the counter and asked solemnly.
“Might I ask, who is the elder you ntioned, Great Hero Yan? Is he a renowned hero from the martial world? ”
Rumor had it that Yan Fei’s identity was exceedingly mysterious, and the shopkeeper couldn’t help but wonder if his elder was so legendary swordsman.
“He is not from the martial arts world, rely an elder whom I respect. Please just relay my ssage, shopkeeper. I shall not disturb you further! ”
“Alright. Farewell, Great Hero Yan!”
After the two said goodbye, one strode away, while the other, after a mont of thought, hurried to the back courtyard to call upon a servant, instructing them to ride a fast horse out of the city to inform the Wei Family.
Yan Fei was about to hurry back to the inn, but as he passed a street corner, a dark shadow suddenly darted towards him, rapidly closing in on him the mont he noticed it. He instinctively leaped back, only to suddenly feel his vision blur, and then his back bumped into soone.
“Shiiing…”
In an instant, Yan Fei drew his sword and swept it back.
“Clang…”
The mont his blade was blocked, Yan Fei, instead of retreating or dissipating his force, used the montum to spin around and slide to the side along the sword’s path, following his strike. After the sword rotated at a new angle, he gathered his Qi and struck the hilt with his left palm.
Swish!
This lightning-quick reaction caused his longsword to pierce the air with a whooshing sound, while the dark shadow in front of him leaned back, twisting its body to retreat to the side. But Yan Fei’s longsword, having only thrust halfway, instantly changed its trajectory, the blade sweeping down almost grazing the shadow’s path of retreat.
“Clink…”
With another crisp sound, the opponent unexpectedly seized the tip of the sword, and an impatient voice rang out.
“Hey, hey, hey, hey. . . Brother Yan, look carefully, it’s , the Old Bull!”
Only then did Yan Fei clearly see who the dark shadow was: it was indeed Niu Batian, who had changed into a set of luxurious clothes. He had not been wearing his usual short vest and undershirt, which was why Yan Fei hadn’t recognized him for a mont.
“Brother Niu? Where did you get these clothes? Why are you sneaking around? ”
The Old Bull patted his chest and released his grip.
“No wonder Brother Yan is known as the ‘Flying Swordsman’ in the martial arts world! Your swordsmanship is really swift. That truly scared this Old Bull! I’ve treasured these clothes for a long ti, if you had cut them, I wouldn’t have been able to get a second set to wear! ”
‘Is he just worried about the clothes…?’
Yan Fei’s expression dimd slightly as he looked at his longsword on front of him. Just now, the tip of his sword had been seized by the Old Bull, and he had been unable to move it in any direction.
“Brother Niu, why are you out here? Were you just looking for , or was there sothing else important? Where is Mr. Ji? ”
The Old Bull chuckled as he approached Yan Fei, placing a hand on his shoulder in a natural movent.
“Brother Yan, Mr. Ji is cultivating at the inn, so let’s not disturb him. This Old Bull ca out to take you sowhere nice. Co on, let’s go now! ”
“Where are we going? ”
“Oh, so many questions! You’ll know once we’re there. Oh, right, Brother Yan, how much silver do you have on you? ”
Yan Fei was a bit puzzled. He reached into his pocked and weighed his purse.
“Many places in the country of Zuyue are in chaos, and most of the banks are closed. Banknotes from any city are only usable in that sa city. Most of the banknotes I have aren’t from Luoping City. I only have one pouch of cash, about thirty taels. ”
“Hehehehehe, thirty taels is enough, definitely enough! Silver is still valuable here! ”
The Old Bull chuckled. He slung an arm around Yan Fei, and led him in another direction with even greater affection in his attitude.
Although Yan Fei had no idea where the Old Bull was taking him, he had co to trust Niu Batian considerably over these past few days. Besides, he was a bull demon, after all; perhaps he had so important destination in mind, so Yan Fei didn’t say much more.
One was a skilled martial artist, and the other was a demon, so their pace was naturally quick. About a quarter of an hour later, they arrived at a part of the city that was exceptionally lively, even at night.
“Co in, esteed guest, please co in and have so fun~”
“Oh, my, Sir, you look truly wealthy…”
“Oh dear, gentlen, co in quickly, it’s cold outside~”
Alluringly dressed won stood along the sides of the street, greeting custors one after another. So even directly reached out to pull people in, and those half-reluctant “passersby,” would feign shyness for a mont before disappearing into the buildings on either side of the road.
At the sight of Yan Fei and Niu Batian, many of the won’s eyes lit up. Although Yan Fei was nearing forty, he had been a famously handso young man in his youth, and now he possessed an added touch of weathered maturity, which was simply a critical hit for these won.
“Wow, that gentleman with the sword is truly handso~”
“Oh dear, Sir, don’t be shy~”
“Esteed guest, co quickly, there’s wine and food inside, plus we will keep you company!”
Seeing so many scantily clad won suddenly approach and pull at him, Yan Fei suddenly felt intense stress. He glanced at the grinning Old Bull.
“Bro-Brother Niu, is this the ‘nice place’ you ntioned. . . ” The rightful source is NoveIꜰire
“That’s right, this is it! Co on, Brother Yan, don’t waste ti, look at how enthusiastic these won are!”
The Old Buffalo watched Yan Fei get nearly devoured by these won and chuckled with a gloating smile. But then he suddenly realized that the girls had all gone to pull at Yan Fei, and no one was paying him any attention. A sense of desolation suddenly rose in him again.
Half an hour later, Yan Fei, clutching his sword, leaned against the wall of a small alley, slightly breathless and trying to calm himself. He had escaped, and now felt even more exhausted than he had after fighting a demon. he had left his purse with Niu Batian; otherwise, the that Old Bull would never have let him leave.
Over a quarter of an hour later, they returned to the inn. Yan Fei, having regained his composure, passed by Ji Yuan’s room. He intended to inform him of the result of his visit to the Wei Family, but was concerned that Mr. Ji might be cultivating, so he hesitated for a mont before preparing to leave.
“Creeeeak…”
The door suddenly opened. Ji Yuan had already heard Yan Fei’s footsteps from inside.
“Is sothing the matter, Warrior Yan? ”
Yan Fei hurriedly bowed with cupped hands.
“Nothing important. I simply wished to inform you, Sir, that I have already notified the Wei Family. ”
“Mm, thank you.”
However, as Ji Yuan spoke, he sensed the strong scent of rouge and powder emanating from Yan Fei, with a mix of various distinct fragrances. However, Yan Fei didn’t appear as though he had just expended so of his Yang essence.3 So, Ji Yuan, in a rare mont of teasing, chuckled and asked:
“Did that brute of a bull drag you to a brothel?”
Yan Fei’s face imdiately flushed with anxiety.
“Mr. Ji, I didn’t…”
Ji Yuan raised a hand to stop Yan Fei’s explanation, and rely smiled.
“I am naturally aware that you didn’t enter4 or relax your moral line. Warrior Yan, get so rest.”
Although he heard Mr. Ji’s words, Yan Fei still felt extrely embarrassed. Even after returning to his room, the discomfort lingered. If hadn’t been to weak to be a match for the Old Bull, he would have truly wanted to give him a beating.
Summary: The Old Bull brings Yan Fei to a brothel, and Yan Fei is mobbed by girls. He is very uncomfortable with this but the Old Bull won’t let him leave. He continues to feel uncomfortable back at the inn.
T/n: friendly reminder that n woman, and people of any gender and sexuality can also be sexually harassed. Please never ignore discomfort because “it’s just a joke” or they “can’t take it.”
T/n: LOL the curse of the dark and broody male lead XD 天 (tiān): day/sky/heaven, 朗 (lǎng): bright/clear –> “Bright Sky Inn” or “Clear Skies Inn” Male sexual fluids are seen as a kind of essence of Yang in the body, so sex would naturally “deplete” this resource, leading to a temporary lack of Yang. JY is basically saying he slls like an orgy but clearly hasn’t had sex. This has the amusing double-entendre of both entering the building and entering sexually
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