Martial Arts: I Have a Wilderness World

Chapter 482: Chapter 262: The Splendor of the Night (Part 3)

After leaving the upper floor of the Yuxian Inn, he found an attendant and inquired about renting a house, either in the South District of Zi’an County or in one of the other three districts.

The attendant was quite surprised when he heard Cheng Zongyang’s request. But when he heard he could earn a Spirit Stone just for introducing a reliable person, his eyes immediately lit up.

"Sir, is what you said true? I’ll get a Low Grade Spirit Stone just for finding you a reliable broker?"

He only earned one Spirit Stone a month. The chance to get another one just for an introduction was an incredible bargain.

Cheng Zongyang said, "It would be best to introduce a broker who can find houses in the north, west, and east districts."

"That’s not a problem." The attendant was overjoyed. He asked Cheng Zongyang to wait a moment, then turned and headed toward the back kitchen.

When he came out again, he rushed over to Cheng Zongyang and bowed with his hands clasped.

"Sir, I’ve already asked the Shopkeeper for a one-hour leave. I’ll take you there right now. She’s the most famous broker in the South District and knows the properties there like the back of her hand. Even with properties in the other three districts, she has some knowledge and influence. Of course, her fees are a bit high."

Cheng Zongyang said, "Let’s go take a look first."

And so, with the attendant leading the way, the two walked briskly toward the northern part of the South District.

Because the distance was considerable, they walked for nearly half an hour before reaching their destination.

As Cheng Zongyang observed his surroundings, he realized the attendant had led him to a pavilion in an alley near the Zi’an River.

But he was somewhat puzzled as he looked at the old, worn-out pavilion before him and read the name on its plaque.

’Spring Pavilion?’

Cheng Zongyang had assumed it was a restaurant or something of the sort. But the next moment, he saw seven or eight flamboyantly dressed, slightly older women emerge onto the second-floor balcony. They waved and smiled down at the two men below.

"Well now, it’s not every day a handsome young man like you comes to visit."

"Are you two young men here at the Spring Pavilion to listen to the music? Come on in!"

"..."

Watching this unfold, Cheng Zongyang shot a look at the attendant. Seeing his gaze, the attendant, fearing a misunderstanding, hurriedly explained:

"The person we’re looking for is inside. Her name is Lady Qin. She’s the owner of the Spring Pavilion. But as you can see, Sir, the Spring Pavilion can’t even begin to compare with the other brothels along the Zi’an River. That’s why she started working as a property broker long ago, to support these women. Of course, they often help her out with the business..."

Cheng Zongyang glanced up at the women on the balcony, who were pointing and occasionally covering their mouths to giggle. He noticed that a few appeared to be in their early thirties, while the rest were a bit older, around forty or so.

But in that line of work, youth is your only currency.

Compared to the teenage girls in the trade, they were considered old and past their prime. Patrons looking for pleasure almost always preferred younger women, with the exception of a few who had... unique tastes.

’Along the banks of the Zi’an River, a place that has lost its former glory, they too once had their brilliant, firework-like moments. But in the end, they could not escape a firework’s fleeting fate—to be forgotten in the dust, like weeds and wildflowers no one ever notices.’

Cheng Zongyang sighed softly, then looked at the attendant. "So, are we going in, or asking her to come out?"

He was surprised that a brothel owner would also be a broker, and even more so that she would be so loyal as to support this group of women.

However, just as he finished speaking to the attendant, a woman walked out from inside. She looked to be in her early thirties, plainly dressed, with no makeup on her drowsy, sleepy-eyed face.

’By the looks of it, had she just woken up?’