Volume One: Odd Jobs in Changshui County Chapter Seventy-Two: Of No Benefit to Martial Arts
Seeing Chen Xuanfeng’s hesitation, Lu Jiuzhang said, “Director Chen, please speak freely!”
“It’s nothing, really. Just that you’re definitely doomed!”
Chen Xuanfeng replied.
...If you can’t speak properly, maybe say less! How can his words sound so harsh?
“Ah!” Chen Xuanfeng sighed.
What other reason could there be? It suggests that Zhong Zhengming might be the one actually pulling the strings. Lu Huaigu was killed by someone he sent, and now he’s targeting Lu Jiuzhang. Of course, this was only Chen Xuanfeng’s conjecture. If Zhong Zhengming truly intended to harm Lu Jiuzhang in secret, then Lu Jiuzhang would have no chance of survival.
Even Chen Xuanfeng himself, who had reached the eighth rank in martial arts years ago, felt he couldn’t defeat Director Zhong. Director Zhong was either just a step away from the seventh rank, or perhaps he had already broken through and simply hadn’t revealed it yet.
...
“All right, you’d better go back and cultivate early.” Chen Xuanfeng was somewhat tired and waved Lu Jiuzhang away.
Lu Jiuzhang cupped his hands in farewell and headed to the training grounds.
Zhou Cheng was already there practicing. When Director Zhong returned, he’d merely glanced at the commotion at the entrance, then headed back to the training grounds. Aside from cultivation, little else seemed to affect him.
“Master Zhou, how about we find an opportunity to visit the pleasure quarter and listen to some music together?”
Lu Jiuzhang ventured.
“No.”
Zhou Cheng shook his head.
Seeing his resolute refusal, Lu Jiuzhang decided he truly was a pure martial arts fanatic.
Lu Jiuzhang lifted his sword, preparing to continue his training.
“Brother Lu!”
Just as Lu Jiuzhang struck with his blade, Zhou Cheng spoke up, “Is there really much amusement in that place of fireworks?”
“It’s not bad,” Lu Jiuzhang nodded. “It’s just for relaxation. Sometimes, when you’re too tired, you need a bit of wine, a little music, to ease your state of mind.”
“If you have time, you can take me to see it for myself,” Zhou Cheng said slowly. “I’ve heard it’s quite expensive, so I’ll bring extra silver. Don’t worry—my treat!”
“Cough, cough...”
Lu Jiuzhang nearly choked, coughing twice.
He’d just thought Zhou Cheng was a martial arts maniac and had praised him, only to find he was interested after all!
Wasn’t that a slap in the face?
“Brother Lu, is it inappropriate?” Zhou Cheng asked, puzzled.
“No... not at all!” Lu Jiuzhang hurriedly explained. “Cultivation requires both tension and relaxation. It’s normal to go—men, after all!”
It seemed Zhou Cheng had never been to such places! A decent man like this was rare!
...
Time slipped into evening.
When work ended, Zhou Cheng approached him.
“Master Zhou, do you want to go now?” Lu Jiuzhang asked.
That was fast. He’d expected a delay of at least a few days, but Zhou Cheng wanted to go the same night.
“Speed is crucial!” Zhou Cheng declared. “The sooner we go, the sooner I can see what’s inside and solve years of doubts. My master used to say the women in the pleasure quarter were like wolves and tigers, and his eyes were sunken and dark because those women beat him.”
“I used to wonder what kind of cultivation it takes to beat my master like that.”
“Later, as I grew older, my sect was destroyed, I was chased by enemies, then Director Zhong took notice of me and recruited me into the Demon-Slaying Division.”
“After joining, I saw my colleagues often frequent the pleasure quarter to listen to music, but they didn’t seem injured, so my doubts about the place only deepened.”
Lu Jiuzhang said, “Perhaps your master’s sunken, dark eyes were just from exhaustion?”
“Exhaustion? Brother Lu, mind your words—that’s my master!” Zhou Cheng said, displeased.
“My apologies.”
Lu Jiuzhang cupped his hands.
Clearly, Zhou Cheng truly respected his master, but his master had really set him up! The pleasure quarter wasn’t so terrifying. What a psychological shadow he’d left his apprentice!
“Don’t worry, Master Zhou. Tonight, let’s go together and see just how ferocious those wolves and tigers really are!” Lu Jiuzhang patted Zhou Cheng’s shoulder.
“To find a confidant in life is a rare blessing. Brother Lu, you understand me!” Zhou Cheng exclaimed.
...
Leaving the Demon-Slaying Division, the two headed straight for the pleasure quarter.
There was a place called the Pavilion of Ultimate Delight, the highest-class brothel in Changshui County.
Since Zhou Cheng was paying, Lu Jiuzhang felt free from any concerns.
“Two esteemed sirs from the Demon-Slaying Division have arrived! Please, upstairs to the elegant seats!” A matronly woman at the entrance called out with a beaming smile.
“Please, gentlemen, this way.” A young attendant hurried to lead them.
Around them, a crowd of charming women gathered, chirping and fluttering.
“You gentlemen are rare guests—why haven’t we seen you before?”
“Please come often! If you do, you can ask for me to serve you. My name is Ah Qing—don’t forget!”
“Gentlemen, I haven’t had any guests tonight. My house is still vacant. Would you like to come directly to my house for a private chat?”
...
The chorus of voices, the bustling crowd.
Zhou Cheng grew irritated; he wasn’t used to such scenes.
“Cough, cough... Let’s go upstairs to the music hall, bring two pots of good wine, and skip the elegant seats—take us straight to a private room,” Lu Jiuzhang instructed.
“As expected of the Demon-Slaying Division—so generous!” The crowd of women grew even more excited, praising them.
Entering a private room meant spending more silver.
It was clear these two gentlemen were not short on money.
If they could please them, earning a tip could mean a handsome sum.
...
Inside the private room, Lu Jiuzhang and Zhou Cheng reclined on lounge chairs.
A round table before them was piled with exquisite dishes and two pots of fine wine.
“Master Zhou, does this kind of life suit your tastes?” Lu Jiuzhang smiled.
“It’s contrary to what I imagined—somewhat disappointing. Immersed in softness, it’s no benefit to martial arts,” Zhou Cheng replied.
He’d thought this place would be dangerous, only to find it filled with scantily clad women, nothing more.
“But still,” Zhou Cheng lowered his voice, “taking time to relax now and then is excellent.”
Tsk, tsk—men can never escape once they’re here.
In this world, only three things keep men enthralled: power, wealth, and beauty.
“You’re absolutely right, Master Zhou!” Lu Jiuzhang nodded. “The pleasure quarter—why call it wolves and tigers? A woman’s waist is a killer’s blade, far fiercer than any beast. That’s why one must learn restraint!”
“Brother Lu, well said.”
Zhou Cheng didn’t really understand what Lu Jiuzhang was getting at; it sounded elegant and rhymed, so he nodded in agreement.
“May I ask your honorable surnames, gentlemen?” A woman massaging Lu Jiuzhang’s shoulders asked with a smile.
“My surname is Zhou, and my name is...” Zhou Cheng began, only to be interrupted by Lu Jiuzhang, “He’s Zhou—Zhou Shan. I’m Wang—just call me Wang Yunshan.”
When out and about, you can’t use your real names.
Besides, visiting such places would be embarrassing if word got out.