Martial Arts: I Have a Wilderness World

Chapter 483: Chapter 263: Lady Qin

Lady Qin looked at the two young men at the entrance and knew right away they weren’t there for pleasure.

But her gaze lingered on Cheng Zongyang a little longer, a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

Finally, Lady Qin looked at the two of them, leaned languidly against the doorframe, and let out a yawn. She crossed her arms and asked in a listless tone, "Looking for a house?"

The waiter was the first to speak, offering the woman a respectful smile. "Lady Qin, you’re as perceptive as ever! I brought this gentleman here. He’s looking for a house in the South District or one of the other three districts—ah, one of the other districts would be best. Lady Qin, everyone says you’re well-connected and have many resources. Do you know of any suitable places?"

"My greetings." Cheng Zongyang returned the gesture with a cupped-fist salute. He was inwardly surprised. ’She’s a Martial Artist, too? And her Cultivation seems quite high.’

When Lady Qin heard he was looking for a house in the other districts, she perked up, looking at Cheng Zongyang with a hint of surprise.

"There are places in the Northwest and East Three Districts, but the locations are limited and there aren’t many available. The rent is far from cheap. Can you afford the Spirit Stones?"

Cheng Zongyang smiled. "As long as it’s reasonably quiet and safe, that’s all that matters. The price is negotiable."

As he spoke, he handed a Spirit Stone to the waiter. "Thank you for the introduction and for showing me the way. This is for your trouble. You should head back now, I don’t want you to be late getting back from your time off."

"Thank you, sir!!" The waiter was thrilled by Cheng Zongyang’s thoughtfulness and generosity. He bowed several times in thanks before taking his leave.

Lady Qin paid the waiter no mind. Instead, her eyes were fixed on Cheng Zongyang, sizing him up.

Slowly, the surprise in her eyes deepened.

She could tell he was incredibly young, but she also sensed the immense strength of his vital energy. Clearly, its intensity was on par with an Upper Three Grades Martial Artist.

Now, she was truly interested in Cheng Zongyang. Recalling the wistful comment he’d made at the entrance, a faint, almost imperceptible smile touched her eyes.

Lady Qin gave a lazy smile. "Since that’s what you’re looking for, I suppose I can help you find something. Just one thing—you’d better be sure you actually have the Spirit Stones. I’d hate to find you a place only for you to come up empty-handed. Offending me is one thing, but you don’t want to displease a Cultivator. That can be a fatal mistake."

Cheng Zongyang chuckled. "Don’t worry. If I’m satisfied with the place, money is no object. Of course, I’d prefer to buy it outright if possible."

At these words, Lady Qin stared at Cheng Zongyang in astonishment.

Cheng Zongyang noticed her expression and was confused, unsure of what he’d said wrong. "Is there a problem?" he couldn’t help but ask.

Lady Qin chuckled, covering her mouth with her hand. "You’re not from around here, are you, young man? You don’t know the rules in Zi’an County."

Hearing this, Cheng Zongyang felt a sense of resignation. ’It’s true that the more you talk, the more you risk saying the wrong thing, but how else am I supposed to learn?’

He adopted a serious expression and bowed with cupped fists toward Lady Qin. "Then I must ask for your guidance, Lady Qin."

Seeing how polite he was, Lady Qin nodded slightly. "Come inside. It’s tiring to stand in the doorway."

With that, she turned and walked inside without waiting for him.

Cheng Zongyang didn’t hesitate, despite the fact that he was entering a brothel.

Come to think of it, this was his first time ever stepping into a brothel. He was actually rather curious.

Hearing his unhesitating footsteps behind her, Lady Qin’s estimation of Cheng Zongyang rose another notch.

’It seems he doesn’t look down on or feel any disdain for a place like this,’ she thought. ’Coupled with that comment he muttered to himself at the start, it’s clear this young man isn’t just putting on an act.’

Cheng Zongyang followed Lady Qin into the building. He was surprised to find the interior was bright and clean, not the dark, chaotic mess he had imagined.

In the main hall, a group of women soon descended from the second floor, looking on in surprise as their madam personally attended to a young man.

But before they could say anything with a laugh, Lady Qin waved them away.

"They’re all past their prime. No need to trouble you with them," Lady Qin said casually.

"You’re being modest. Everyone gets old, it’s only human. Besides, some people age not in their looks, but in their hearts."

Cheng Zongyang wasn’t bothered by it, but he did notice that the women seemed much older than they looked. ’Perhaps the Cultivation Immortality Realm has remedies that common people can use to slow the aging process.’

"Heh, you’ve got a smooth tongue, young man. And what might your name be?" Lady Qin asked with a chuckle after they sat down.

"Cheng Zongyang."

Lady Qin smiled faintly. "So your surname is Cheng. That’s a rare name in the South District."

Then, changing the subject, she said to Cheng Zongyang:

"The rule you want to know isn’t much of a secret. Here in Zi’an County, the Cultivators have a rule: ordinary people, even Martial Artists, are forbidden from purchasing property in the Northwest and East Three Districts. Even renting is restricted to those who have connections with a Cultivation Immortality Influence."

"The Cultivators established this rule because they don’t want ordinary folk settling in those areas and disrupting the order and the environment."

At this point, Lady Qin looked at Cheng Zongyang and gave a faint smile. "Now do you understand?"

Cheng Zongyang hadn’t expected the Cultivators to enforce such a rule. He said with a sense of resignation:

"So, to put it plainly, if you don’t have a direct or indirect connection to a Cultivator, you can’t live there?"

Lady Qin nodded slightly. "That’s right. First, it prevents the area from being overrun by ordinary people, which would reduce the available living space for Cultivators and interfere with their training."

"Second, those three districts have Arrays set up. If too many ordinary people are present, it will affect the Spiritual Qi within the Arrays."

"In any case, regardless of the reason, for ordinary people like us, non-Cultivators cannot buy property, and those without connections cannot rent."