Chapter 26: Disguised in the Brothel

Zoucheng, Central Region.

This city is one of the most prosperous in Central Region, home to the largest brothel within a hundred miles—Huamanlou`.

In this red-light district, beautiful women in red robes leaned against railings, throwing embroidered balls and scented handkerchiefs, luring in customers. The streets were full of laughter and banter, creating a lively scene.

Looking down from above on a flying sword, one could see a group of women, powdered and perfumed, their soft chests partly exposed, warmly inviting guests.

Under the allure of this soft, intoxicating atmosphere, the guests were entranced, their very souls drawn in, surrounded by a crowd of beauties who led them inside to drink.

“Junior Sister, are you really going to that place? I’m a man of good upbringing!” Tantai Ming said, resolutely refusing. Sitting cross-legged on his sword, he had turned his head away the moment he accidentally glimpsed some of the scantily dressed women, as if shocked, his ears turning red.

Chu Sang thought her Seventh Senior Brother was too innocent—those women were quite attractive! She pointed to the side, “Look closely at that man in black.”

Tantai Ming reluctantly turned his head, catching sight of a tall man in black walking toward the entrance, holding two beautiful women dressed in revealing outfits as they entered the building.

Though the street was crowded with people, filled with various customers, the moment the man in black appeared, he instantly drew attention.

“That’s the Demon King, Yan Wangxing. If I’m not mistaken, he’s the one behind the recent beast riots in the demon forest.” Even though the man had concealed his demonic energy, his sinister aura was still easily recognizable.

“Who would have thought it was the Demon King?” Tantai Ming’s eyebrows furrowed deeply.

There are seven Demon Kings in the Demon Realm. Although the Demon Realm’s true ruler is the supreme Demon Lord, rumors have long suggested that the old Demon Lord has been bedridden for many days, his days numbered, leaving the seven Demon Kings in charge.

Among them, Yan Wangxing is the most powerful, and it’s widely believed he is the likely candidate to become the next Demon Lord.

Tantai Ming roughly guessed his Junior Sister’s plan. It was said that Yan Wangxing indulged in pleasures of the flesh and often frequented brothels. It made sense that they were here to catch him tonight.

But the Demon King wasn’t someone they could afford to provoke.

His strength surpassed the Nascent Soul stage, and with one slap, he could reduce them to ashes. Junior Sister might be a genius, but her fearlessness was a bit reckless for someone so inexperienced.

Tantai Ming was mulling over how to tactfully explain the principle of “discretion is the better part of valor” when he saw her eyes light up. She whispered excitedly, “Second Senior Brother, Seventh Senior Brother, look over there!”

The two followed her gaze.

They saw another group of people blending into the crowd.

Though they’d shed their sect robes, they carried an aura that was a mix of cleverness and naivety, a stark contrast to the regular patrons of the brothel. Chu Sang also recognized a few familiar faces, identifying their identities.

—Disciples of the Eight Great Immortal Sects.

It seemed they weren’t the only ones laying in wait tonight.

This was like someone offering a pillow when you were just about to fall asleep.

“Let’s go, let’s check it out.”

Grabbing her two senior brothers, Chu Sang dragged them over to join the fun.

…

The disciples of the Eight Great Immortal Sects nearby had received messages from their sects, reporting that the demon forest riots were due to the interference of a demon. They were also told that this demon would be at the brothel tonight for entertainment.

The identity of the informant was unclear, and the truth of the information uncertain. What if it was a trap set by the demons? After much deliberation, the sect leaders decided to send disciples to investigate. If the situation proved true, they would report back immediately.

Just moments ago, they had indeed detected traces of demonic energy nearby. To avoid alarming the demon, they removed their sect robes, blended in with the crowd, and used spatial formations to divide the area. Disciples from Baxiang Sect set up a demon trapping formation around the brothel, ready to catch their prey.

“This formation won’t hold him.”

A voice came from behind. Lin Jing turned to see a woman with two men approaching, unsure when they had arrived.

Seeing their robes were only basic protective garments, Lin Jing’s irritation subsided, replaced by irritation. He waved them away dismissively. “Who let these lowly rogue cultivators in here? Go mind your own business, don’t get in our way—”

“Wait, it’s you!”

Before he could finish his sentence, another voice interrupted. Lin Qi, with an excited expression, hurried over. “I never thought I’d run into you again! That speed talisman you gave me last time was incredibly useful! I want to buy another hundred—no, two hundred—of them from you! However many you have, I’ll take them all!”

Chu Sang took a moment to recognize the young man before her. After a few moments, she finally remembered—it was the passerby she had met when she first set up her talisman stall. Back then, she had casually given him a speed talisman and her business card.

“Oh, it’s you!”

A big order from a big customer.

“Let’s exchange contact information. I don’t have many talismans on me right now, but I’ll contact you later.” As the two exchanged contact information through the message jades, Chu Sang realised this was the online acquaintance she had ignored the other day. Luckily, she hadn’t impulsively attacked him, or she would’ve lost this valuable customer.

Chu Sang still had about ten speed talismans, and Lin Qi bought five or six on the spot. Seeing this, Lin Jing sneered.

“Those are nothing but low-level talismans. You didn’t even draw the inscriptions correctly. Who do you think you are, claiming expertise in talismans?”

Chu Sang glanced at him curiously. Who was this person? So arrogant.

Lin Qi shot him a glare. “Does the Baxiang Sect alone represent all of Lingyuan Continent’s talismans?”

“There are many ways to draw talismans. Who says you must follow Baxiang Sect’s methods to be legitimate?”

Lin Jing didn’t expect to be talked back to, and his face darkened as he struggled to save face. “You think you know more than me? You’re just a sword cultivator!”

Lin Qi didn’t bother to argue further with this fool. He knew how useful those talismans were! With so few left, he wanted to keep the shop for himself—once others found out, he’d have trouble getting more.

“Not you again?”

Qiu Xiude, surprised to see Chu Sang and her companions, approached with a grim expression. “Are you pests? Why can’t I get rid of you?”

Chu Sang raised an eyebrow. “I guess that makes you the dung.”

Qiu Xiude froze, and as chuckles rippled through the surrounding disciples, his face darkened like the bottom of a pot. He was so furious that he wanted to claw at the walls.

Chu Sang wasn’t in the mood to argue with him. She scanned the seemingly impenetrable array in front of her and scoffed, “The enemy isn’t an ordinary demon clan member. It’s likely a Demon King. Your formation is far too weak to stop him.”

Lin Jing sneered, “What a joke. How could a Demon King be so easy to encounter? And who do you think you are, daring to criticize our Baxiang Sect’s formation?”

“This formation was personally created by our sect elders to trap demons,” Lin Jing added proudly. “As long as a demon enters, they won’t escape, even if they had wings!”

Chu Sang pointed out, “The formation itself is good, but unfortunately, you disciples haven’t grasped its essence. You’re clearly lacking in skill. I haven’t seen the original diagram, but it’s obvious that here, here, and at the southeast gate, the combination of runes conflicts with each other. Instead of reinforcing the array, it weakens it, leaving such a large gap.”

“Forget a Demon King, even a regular demon with sensitivity to auras could easily escape through this opening,” Chu Sang remarked, her tone critical but factual.

Qin Xixue stepped forward, her voice soft and gentle, attempting to ease the tension. “Second Senior Sister, the disciples of the Baxiang Sect are all experts in formations. We, as outsiders, shouldn’t say such things—it could cause a misunderstanding.”

Before she could further ingratiate herself with the Baxiang Sect, a young man dressed in blue, who had been deep in thought, spoke up, “She’s right.”

Cui Xiu, the senior disciple of the Baxiang Sect, was the most skilled in formations among the younger generation. He knew that the demon-trapping formation created by the elders was advanced, and they, as disciples, were still inexperienced. He had been searching for a solution but couldn’t find it. Yet, this red-clad girl had pinpointed the formation’s flaw with just a few words.

“How is this possible? She’s just a rogue cultivator…” Lin Jing’s eyes widened, trying to refute.

Cui Xiu chastised him, “Have you forgotten what our master taught us? The way of runes is vast and varied. Even our Baxiang Sect has only scratched the surface. We must never overestimate ourselves or underestimate others.”

Qin Xixue bit her lip, her face slightly flushed, as she clutched her handkerchief tightly, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

Chu Sang spoke up, “I have a plan to lure the demon out.”

“What kind of plan could you possibly have?” Qiu Xiude sneered from the side, mocking her.

Chu Sang ignored him and addressed the group, “I need two people to come with me. Preferably female cultivators, to seduce the Demon King.”

Seduction??

The crowd was stunned, thinking they must have misheard. What kind of absurd idea was this?

Yet, considering they were dealing with a demon visiting such a seedy place for entertainment, it was clear the demon was indulgent in carnal pleasures.

While crude and unorthodox, this was likely the most effective. At the same time, however, it was risky.

“The disciples of the Baxiang Sect need to stay outside to reinforce the formation. We can’t have a demon causing chaos among civilians. We must be careful,” Chu Sang said.

“The disciples of the Baxiang Sect need to stay outside to reinforce the formation. The Myriad Sword Sect must guard against any other demons coming to aid him. So…” Chu Sang glanced around, her eyes finally landed on Qin Xixue, who had taken two steps back. With a smile, she asked, “You seem free. How about joining me?”

Qin Xixue’s face turned pale, and she clung to Mo Qingshen’s sleeve, shaking her head vigorously. “I’m not going. I’m scared… Demons are terrifying…”

Chu Sang understood. Though Qin Xixue had already met Yan Wangxing, the two were still in the early stages of getting to know each other. She hadn’t revealed her identity to him.

After all, Yan Wangxing had been killed by the Eight Great Immortal Sects in the past, so he harbored deep hatred for their disciples. Qin Xixue, no doubt, feared being recognized by him and thus kept avoiding the task.

She was probably stressing out, wondering how some random person had tipped off the sects, leading them all to hunt down Yan Wangxing.

Of course, that “random person” was Chu Sang herself.

But with Qin Xixue refusing, there was no suitable female cultivator left in the group

Mo Qingchen offered to replace Qin Xixue, “I’ll go in her place.”

“Brother Qingchen, you…” Qin Xixue hadn’t expected him to go this far for her, and she felt deeply moved.

If Chu Sang could hear her thoughts, she’d think. Mo Qingchen was the type who wasn’t interested in romance at this stage. His primary goal was to rid the world of demons—a classic righteous path disciple.

He was only doing this because he couldn’t stand the idea of demons causing havoc among mortals.

“Junior Sister, it’s not safe for you to go alone. I’ll come with you,” said Tantai Ming, stepping forward.

The crowd exchanged strange glances between the two of them, but considering that this was a sacrifice for the greater good, they quickly turned their admiration.

“…” Shang Ziling quietly pulled out a few dresses, coughing lightly. “I’m taller than most women, but these should fit. You can borrow them, or better yet, I’ll just give them to you.”

Mo Qingchen, expressionless, replied, “No need.”

With that, he drew his sword and prepared to storm into the brothel.

Chu Sang calmly said, “If solving this were as simple as brute force, you wouldn’t have been here so long. If a fight breaks out inside, none of the civilians nearby will survive.”

Mo Qingchen paused.

Qin Xixue’s eyes sparkled as she stepped forward softly, “But making Senior Brother wear women’s clothes—it’s too humiliating, isn’t it?”

Shang Ziling retorted, visibly uncomfortable, “How is it humiliating? I like to wear men’s clothes when I come down from the mountain. Besides, this is for the people’s safety. It’s our duty as sect disciples. Can’t you set aside such trivial concerns at a critical moment like this?”

Qin Xixue stammered, unable to finish.

Tantai Ming, ever the straightforward type, didn’t see anything wrong with it. “I’ll go with you, Junior Sister! If it comes to it, let Second Senior Brother join in too!”

Ling Yu smiled gently at him. Thanks for that.

Mo Qingchen spoke coldly, “I’ll go with you.”

With that, Chu Sang led the way, taking them both confidently into the brothel.

Tonight’s mission—seduce Yan Wangxing!

…

T/N: changed the Eight forms sect to Baxiang sect..I think this sounds much better than the former though I’m not too sure about its accuracy🤔..