Chapter 20 - Revenge and Redemption

Chang’an is the capital of the Water Kingdom, bustling with activity day and night, streets always crowded, and the nights illuminated by lanterns that light up every corner.

Yichun Brothel, located by the river, comes alive at night with the sounds of music and shouting, a hub of noisy excitement.

At that moment, in the city center, a vibrant, multicolored tiger walked in, carrying a man in a white robe on its back. The tiger’s radiant aura painted the entire street in colorful light, and atop it, Leng Yan appeared almost like an immortal.

Leng Yan’s grand entrance drew countless commoners. They lined the streets, watching him with respect.

On the roadside, a robust man said to his eight-year-old son, “Son, if one day you could be like this immortal, I would die without any regrets.”

The boy, full of longing and determination, responded, “Dad, I will make it happen.”

“Good boy!”

Leng Yan overheard their conversation and felt a fondness for the child. He conjured a primordial spirit elixir, which floated through the air and landed in front of the boy, then a wisp of Water Qi subtly entered the boy’s brow.

The child stared wide-eyed at Leng Yan, astonished. Seeing Leng Yan bestow the elixir, the father quickly knelt down, repeatedly expressing his gratitude.

The onlookers, envious, showed their admiration, and some harbored ill intentions, but a stern glance from Leng Yan sent them scurrying back, realizing that this was a person favored by an immortal, not to be trifled with.

To Leng Yan, the primordial spirit elixir was of little significance, merely enough to restore some vital energy, but for the child, it could cleanse his marrow and enhance his talents.

And that wisp of Water Qi would purify his body of impurities. Should someone discerning notice the boy’s potential, he might be taken in as a disciple.

Patting Little Tiger, Leng Yan rode the tiger into the city, indulging in a moment of vanity. Feeling it was enough, he decided it was time to be more discreet.

With a roar from Little Tiger, a gust of wind arose. With a gentle leap, the tiger jumped a hundred yards, landing on a rooftop, disappearing into the night.

The child, with a steadfast gaze, watched as Leng Yan departed, his thoughts unknown. His name was “Sima Xin!”

Leng Yan, though not strikingly handsome, possessed an air of spiritual energy from his cultivation of dao, which lent him a distinctive, refined appearance. As he approached the entrance of Yichun Brothel, several young women were instantly drawn to him.

Leng Yan offered the women only a slight smile, and a gentle, invisible force pushed them away.

Accustomed to various patrons, the women assumed he was a distinguished martial artist and did not dare to linger.

Leng Yan entered Yichun Brothel and called for a private room. He then asked for Laobao¹ to be summoned.

Once inside the room, Leng Yan tossed Chen Hai and Li Kai onto the bed, sporting a mischievous grin.

“What are you going to do? Leng Yan, I’m telling you, if you touch me, my cousin will surely kill you!” Chen Hai, restrained by Shui Yunyao’s power, could not move and spoke threateningly.

“What am I going to do? What do you think I’m going to do?” Leng Yan said, laughing as he continued to strip both men of their clothes, leaving them bare on the bed.

Finding the two men too noisy, Leng Yan gagged them.

The door opened, and Laobao entered. She was momentarily surprised to see the two men on the bed, then looked at Leng Yan with a complex expression.

Leng Yan, realizing Laobao was overthinking, smiled and said, “Don’t worry, I’m very normal in that regard. These two are your golden ducks².”

“Golden ducks? How so?” Laobao, around thirty and wearing light makeup which added to her allure, spoke with a seductive tone.

“These two are cultivators, or immortals as you might say. Their essence can help an old lady maintain her youthful appearance and prolong her life. Wouldn’t you say that makes them golden ducks?” Leng Yan explained with a smile.

Laobao, quick to understand, grasped Leng Yan’s point, yet some doubt remained in her eyes, “Are they truly immortals?”

Leng Yan displayed a miniature water dragon coiling around his wrist, resembling a real dragon.

“Guaranteed genuine!”

Seeing the water dragon on Leng Yan’s hand, Laobao was thoroughly convinced and quickly responded with a smile, “May I know what the immortal desires?”

“Nothing much? I’m lending you these two for one night, and my only request is that they serve guests over sixty years old! Can you manage that?”

Leng Yan dispersed the water dragon in his hand and walked over to the bed, looking at the two frightened figures, and spoke.

Upon hearing Leng Yan’s words, the two glared back in anger, struggling to protest.

“Of course, that’s no problem at all. I’ll arrange it right away,” Laobao replied, not caring who these two were. She only knew they were of great value! No woman dislikes beauty, especially lonely elderly women, who not only crave beauty but also feel a great emptiness.

Soon, dozens of old ladies had gathered outside the door, each one heavily made up like a sprite.

Leng Yan took the Hehuansan³ from Laobao’s hand, poured it into the mouths of the two, blatantly ignoring their curses and shouts.

After gagging them again, Leng Yan went to the next room, called for a table of food and drink, and enjoyed it alone, while the two were “well taken care of” by Laobao.

The food and drink of the secular world contain many impurities, but they are delicious! Leng Yan poured himself a drink and relaxed.

The room next door was filled with noise; as the saying goes, a woman is a tiger, and an old woman is an old tiger.

“Get out! Ah! It’s so hot! Leng Yan, you’ve killed me, you old hags get out! Wuu!” Somehow, an old lady, unable to pull away, removed the cloth gagging Chen Hai’s mouth. Before Chen Hai could finish his curse, his mouth was sealed by the old lady’s red lips.

Listening to Chen Hai’s agonized screams, Leng Yan smiled and took a sip of his drink, remarking lightly, “This is just the beginning.”

Two hours later, the room next door was still bustling with activity, a scene of spring revelry, while Leng Yan had already cleared away the food and drink and began his spiritual practice, absorbing the spiritual power from the air and converting it into magical power.

“Bang! Bang!”

Laobao stood outside, gently knocking on the door!

“Come in!” Leng Yan, sitting on the bed, still with his eyes closed, called out.

Laobao opened the door and entered. Seeing Leng Yan in spiritual practice, she did not disturb him but stood aside, curiously observing him.

“What is it?” Leng Yan stood up, poured a glass of water, and asked softly.

“I was wondering if I could buy these two people from you?”

Laobao finally tasted the sweetness of success; just one old lady paid a thousand Liang, and with fifty arriving tonight, she made a total of fifty thousand Liang.

Moreover, it has been confirmed that although the essence of these two men cannot rejuvenate people back to their youth, it certainly can make their complexions radiant. After several old ladies used it, they actually looked five to six years younger.

Ordinary humans have only a bit of innate spiritual energy, which gradually diminishes with age. Chen Hai and his companion are abundant in spiritual power, their semen is even nourished by spiritual energy, which can replenish the spiritual energy in humans, rejuvenating their appearances.

As more people confirmed this fact, even more began to flock to the Yichun Brothel, drawn by Chen Hai’s presence, ensuring the business thrived.

“No, they must die after tonight!” Leng Yan stated coldly.

“Can’t we make an exception, just for one more night?” Laobao pleaded coyly.

Normally, any man would soften at Laobao’s coquetry, but unfortunately, Leng Yan’s heart was captivated by the heavenly beauty of Shui Yunyao; to him, Laobao, despite her attractiveness, was merely ordinary.

“I advise you to be satisfied with what you have. If these two escape from my hands, you might have the money to earn but not the life to spend it!”

“Yes, yes! Thank you for the advice. After midnight, I will return them to the immortal; I will leave now.” Startled by Leng Yan’s words, Laobao remembered that these two men were immortals too. If they escaped, she would be in deadly peril.

…

After midnight, Laobao went to Leng Yan’s room to tell him everything was settled.

After sending Laobao away, Leng Yan went to the next room only to find it in complete disarray. Chen Hai and his companion lay bare on the floor, covered in lipstick marks that resembled tattoos.

Their eyes were empty, akin to those of the dead. Even for those cultivating dao, five continuous hours of relentless activity were too much.

“Did you two enjoy yourselves? Was it thrilling?” Leng Yan asked with a smile.

“Kill me! Please, just kill me!” Li Kai gasped weakly.

Footnote:

1. Laobao(老鸨):In traditional Chinese culture, ‘Laobao’ refers to the madam or female manager of a brothel, responsible for overseeing the operations and managing the women working there.
2. Golden Ducks(金鸭子):In Chinese slang, ‘Golden Ducks’ refers to male prostitutes who provide sexual services to clients.
3. Hehuansan(合欢散): In Chinese martial arts novels and folklore, ‘Hehuansan’ refers to a fictional drug that causes people to lose their willpower or experience hallucinations.